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Kotak Says Experience and IPL Form May Explain Bhuvneshwar’s Recall
Bhuvneshwar Kumar has been chosen to return to India’s cricket team after being away for nearly four years.
Assistant coach Sitanshu Kotak said experience may have helped explain the choice.
He also pointed to Bhuvneshwar’s good performances in the IPL.
Kotak said India had young bowlers doing well, but experience can still be important.
He suggested Bhuvneshwar could be useful in New Zealand conditions.
Reports disagree about how many IPL wickets he took across two seasons.
Kotak also said Mohammed Shami was playing well, but left any decision about Shami to the selectors.
India assistant coach Sitanshu Kotak said Bhuvneshwar Kumar’s experience may have influenced his return after nearly four years.
Kotak suggested Jasprit Bumrah’s absence and the presence of younger bowlers may have increased the value of experience.
Bhuvneshwar’s recent IPL performances and possible usefulness in New Zealand conditions were also cited as potential factors.
The reports give differing IPL totals: one says 48 wickets in 30 matches, while another says 45 in 31.
Kotak declined to predict whether Mohammed Shami would be selected, but said Shami was playing well.
- Who
- Bhuvneshwar Kumar; India assistant coach Sitanshu Kotak discussed his recall.
- What
- Bhuvneshwar was recalled to India’s T20I squad after nearly four years away.
- Where
- Kotak spoke in Ranchi; Bhuvneshwar’s selection is for a five-match T20I series against New Zealand.
- When
- Kotak spoke ahead of India’s second T20I against the West Indies on Thursday, October 9.
- Why
- Kotak suggested his experience, recent IPL performances and potential usefulness in New Zealand conditions may have influenced the selection.
Key facts
- Player recalled
- Bhuvneshwar Kumar
- Time away from India team
- Nearly four years
- Potential selection factors
- Experience, recent IPL form and New Zealand conditions, according to Kotak
- Bumrah’s availability
- Kotak cited Jasprit Bumrah’s absence during the England T20I series as context
- IPL wicket totals reported
- One article reports 48 wickets in 30 matches; another reports 45 in 31 matches
- IPL 2026 figures reported
- 28 wickets in 16 matches; average 17.89 and economy rate 7.95
- Upcoming series
- Five-match T20I series against New Zealand
- Mohammed Shami
- Kotak said Shami was playing well but declined to comment on his selection
Quotes
Sitanshu Kotak
India batting coach discussing Bhuvneshwar Kumar’s recall.
“In England, I personally felt that with Bumrah not being around and a lot of young bowlers playing, you can’t beat experience. The young bowlers are doing well and performing consistently, which is why they are getting selected, but at some stage, you also need experience. So, I think that might have been one of the reasons.”
indianexpress.com
wionews.com
“Another factor could be that Bhuvneshwar has been doing really well in the IPL over the last two seasons. The selectors may have felt that his experience would be useful in New Zealand conditions. Obviously, he has been performing well, and we need that experience, so they must have picked him with that in mind.”
wionews.com
Sources
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