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India assistant coach Sitanshu Kotak has explained why Bhuvneshwar Kumar could have been brought back into the national team for the upcoming T20I series against New Zealand.
Bhuvneshwar has returned to India’s T20I squad after a gap of nearly four years. The veteran pacer last played for India in November 2022, coincidentally against New Zealand.
His recall comes after two highly productive seasons in the Indian Premier League, where he played a key role in Royal Challengers Bengaluru’s title-winning campaigns in 2025 and 2026.
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Experience Could Have Played A Role
Kotak believes Bhuvneshwar’s experience may have been one of the factors behind his selection, particularly with India’s bowling attack featuring several young pacers.
The 36-year-old took 45 wickets for RCB across the last two IPL seasons, picking up 17 wickets in 2025 and another 28 in 2026.
Speaking ahead of India’s second T20I against the West Indies on Wednesday, Kotak said the team could benefit from having an experienced bowler in the group.
“One thing is obviously with the selectors, but I can give you an answer based on what I think. In England, I personally felt that with Bumrah not being around and a lot of young bowlers playing, you can’t beat experience,” Kotak said.
Bhuvneshwar’s IPL Form Also Helped
Kotak also pointed to Bhuvneshwar’s performances in the IPL over the last two seasons.
While India have several young fast bowlers who have impressed recently, Kotak feels experience remains important, especially when conditions and opposition demand it.
“The young bowlers are good, they are performing well and getting selected, but at some stage you also need some experience,” he said.
Bhuvneshwar’s recent IPL numbers have certainly strengthened his case. He was an important part of RCB’s bowling attack during their back-to-back title-winning seasons and finished the 2026 campaign with 28 wickets.
New Zealand Conditions In Focus
India are scheduled to play a T20I series against New Zealand after their ongoing five-match series against the West Indies.
Kotak suggested that the conditions in New Zealand could also have been considered while deciding the squad.
“That might be one reason. Another thing is that Bhuvneshwar has been doing really well in the IPL for the last two seasons. So the selectors must have thought that, for New Zealand conditions and all, obviously he has been doing well and we need some experience,” he said.
“They must have picked him. That’s what I can think, unless you can think something different.”
India vs New Zealand T20I schedule
India tour of New Zealand – T20I series fixtures | ||||
No. | Day | Date | Match | Venue |
1 | Thu | 22-Oct-26 | 1st T20I | Christchurch |
2 | Sat | 24-Oct-26 | 2nd T20I | Christchurch |
3 | Tue | 27-Oct-26 | 3rd T20I | Wellington |
4 | Fri | 30-Oct-26 | 4th T20I | Auckland |
5 | Sun | 01-Nov-26 | 5th T20I | Hamilton |
India's T20I squad vs New Zealand
Shreyas Iyer [C], Abhishek Sharma, Sanju Samson [WK], Vaibhav Sooryavanshi, Ishan Kishan [WK], Tilak Varma [VC], Axar Patel, Shivam Dube, Nitish Kumar Reddy, Naman Dhir, Prince Yadav, Mayank Yadav, Arshdeep Singh, Bhuvneshwar Kumar, Varun Chakaravarthy, Kuldeep Yadav