Later this month, Bumrah will also miss the T20Is in New Zealand, which may have persuaded the selectors to give Bhuvneshwar Kumar, 36, a T20I comeback. At least that is what India’s batting coach Sitanshu Kotak believes.
A ten-game winning streak in T20Is is an impressive performance, especially given that India and Afghanistan share the record among Full Members, which is 12.
However, less than three months ago, India was in the midst of a six-game summer losing streak in the UK. They had lost 2-0 to Ireland and 4-0 to England. All of those defeats had one thing in common: Jasprit Bumrah lacked class and expertise.
“One thing is clear: it’s the selectors’ decision,” Kotak remarked ahead of the second T20I against West Indies in Ranchi. “But I can still tell you what I think: in England, I personally felt – with Bumrah out of the picture – that the new bowlers, the young bowlers, were playing, and we all know that experience is invaluable. They are also good, but at some point you will require experience. So I’m thinking that could be one cause.”
Bhuvneshwar has returned to the team after nearly four years away, having claimed 45 wickets in the last two IPL seasons for Royal Challengers Bengaluru.
He got 17 wickets in the IPL 2025 and 28 in 2026, with an economy rate of 7.95, helping the squad win back-to-back titles.
Bhuvneshwar’s ability to swing the new ball may be especially important in New Zealand, where other seamers include Arshdeep Singh, Mayank Yadav, and Prince Yadav. “Selectors must have thought that for New Zealand conditions, we need some experience,” added Kotak. “That must be why they chose him. “That’s all I can think of.”
Kotak also supported VVS Laxman’s participation in future selection meetings, though he said he was ignorant of the BCCI’s decision until recently. The decision to include Laxman, the chairman of the BCCI’s Center of Excellence, is part of the board’s efforts to increase information about player fitness and availability.
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Kotak, who previously worked with Laxman at the National Cricket Academy (NCA), said he was unsure whether any specific concerns from team management caused the decision, but that head coach Gautam Gambhir and Laxman were already in regular communication.
Arav Sharma is a passionate cricket writer who covers the game with a focus on match previews, cricket articles, player performances, and match predictions. He enjoys analyzing teams, players, recent form, and key match factors to provide engaging and easy-to-understand cricket content for fans.
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