Archive · 9 Oct 2026
Kotak Backs Experience as Shami’s Selection Remains Selectors’ Decision
India’s assistant coach, Sitanshu Kotak, spoke about choices for the cricket team.
Bhuvneshwar Kumar has returned to India’s T20I squad for a tour of New Zealand.
Kotak said the team may need experienced bowlers as well as young ones.
He also noted that Bhuvneshwar has played well in the IPL recently.
Mohammed Shami is playing well in domestic cricket, Kotak said.
But Kotak explained that selectors decide who joins the team.
He also supported VVS Laxman’s role in sharing injury updates with team officials.
Kotak said he believed the BCCI’s decision had a purpose.
Assistant coach Sitanshu Kotak said experience may have influenced Bhuvneshwar Kumar’s return to India’s T20I squad for the New Zealand tour.
Bhuvneshwar is returning to the T20I squad after four years.
Kotak pointed to Bhuvneshwar’s performances in the IPL over the past two seasons.
Kotak said Mohammed Shami is also playing and performing well in domestic cricket, but selection depends on the selectors and the team’s needs.
Kotak supported the BCCI’s decision to include VVS Laxman in selection meetings, saying injury updates communicated by him would serve a purpose.
- Who
- Assistant coach Sitanshu Kotak discussed Bhuvneshwar Kumar, Mohammed Shami and VVS Laxman.
- What
- Kotak offered his view on Bhuvneshwar’s return to India’s T20I squad, Shami’s prospects and Laxman’s role in selection meetings.
- When
- Kotak spoke in Ranchi on Thursday; no calendar date is specified.
- Where
- Ranchi; Bhuvneshwar’s return is for India’s tour of New Zealand.
- Why
- Kotak said experience and recent performances may have informed the choice, while emphasizing that selectors make selection decisions.
Kotak’s assessment
Selection remains with selectors
Bhuvneshwar Kumar’s return
Kotak’s assessment
Kotak suggested experience and Bhuvneshwar’s recent IPL performances may explain his return.
Selection remains with selectors
Kotak stressed that he is not a selector and described his explanation as his own view; the selectors made the decision.
Mohammed Shami’s prospects
Kotak’s assessment
Kotak said Shami is playing and doing well in domestic cricket.
Selection remains with selectors
Kotak said selection depends on whether selectors judge that the team needs him.
- Bhuvneshwar Kumar
- Returned to India’s T20I squad for the New Zealand tour after four years.
- Kotak’s view on experience
- He said experience can be important alongside young bowlers.
- Bhuvneshwar’s recent form
- Kotak cited his performances in the IPL over the previous two seasons.
- Mohammed Shami
- Kotak said Shami is playing and doing well, and could be selected if selectors see a team need.
- Selection authority
- Kotak said selection decisions rest with the selectors.
- VVS Laxman
- Kotak supported Laxman’s inclusion in selection meetings, particularly for communicating injury-related updates.