Bhuvneshwar Kumar probably recalled to add experience in Jasprit Bumrah’s absence, says Sitanshu Kotak

A ten-game winning streak in T20Is is no mean feat, especially with the record among Full Members – jointly held by India and Afghanistan – being 12.

But less than three months ago, India were in the middle of a six-game losing streak during the summer in the UK. They had gone down 2-0 to Ireland and 4-0 to England. The one common factor among all those defeats was the absence of Jasprit Bumrah’s class and experience.

Later this month, Bumrah won’t be part of the T20Is in New Zealand either, and that possibly prompted the selectors to hand Bhuvneshwar Kumar, 36, a T20I comeback. At least that is what India’s batting coach Sitanshu Kotak thinks anyway.

“One thing obviously is it’s the selectors’ choice,” Kotak said ahead of the second T20I against West Indies in Ranchi. “But still I can give you an answer about what I think: in England, I also personally felt – with Bumrah not being around and all – the new bowlers, the young bowlers were playing, and we all know that you can’t beat experience. They are also good but at some stage you need experience. So I’m just thinking that might be one reason.”

Bhuvneshwar has returned to the side after nearly four years, having taken 45 wickets across the last two IPL seasons for Royal Challengers Bengaluru. He took 17 wickets in IPL 2025 and followed it up with 28 in 2026, at an economy rate of 7.95, helping the team win back-to-back titles.

Besides his vast experience, Bhuvneshwar’s ability to swing the new ball could be particularly useful in New Zealand, where the other seamers are Arshdeep Singh, Mayank Yadav and Prince Yadav.

“Selectors must have thought that for New Zealand conditions, we need some experience,” Kotak said. “That’s why they must have picked him. That’s what I can think of.”

Kotak also backed VVS Laxman’s involvement in future selection meetings, although he said he was unaware of the BCCI’s decision until recently. The move to include Laxman, the head of the BCCI’s Centre of Excellence, is part of the board’s aim to improve communication over player fitness and availability.

Kotak, who has worked with Laxman at the National Cricket Academy (NCA), said he did not know whether any specific concerns from the team management had prompted the move but said that head coach Gautam Gambhir and Laxman were already in regular contact.

“I believe that the decision taken by the BCCI will be purposeful,” Kotak said. “I have worked with Laxman for three years. He is so particular. When I was there, he used to tell us that if the Indian team has any requirement, then our first duty is to fulfil that.

“It is a different thing [on a lighter note], but sometimes we [coaches] used to take leave to go home from the NCA. And at such times, if an Indian team needed a particular player from the NCA, then Laxman wouldn’t hesitate to try asking us to postpone our leave for a week or two. That is how committed he is. So, whatever role he plays, I am sure he will think about the best of Indian cricket.”

On Ishan Kishan, who returns to his home ground in Ranchi, Kotak said the wicketkeeper-batter’s standout quality since his T20I return has been his “maturity”.

“The way Kishan is batting, every ground he plays in is his home ground,” Kotak said. “Even then [when the pair worked together at Gujarat Lions in 2016 and 2017], he used to play aggressively. If anything, I would say that he is much more mature now. He plays according to the needs of the team and the [match] situation.”

Kotak did not commit to the playing XI for Ranchi or the chances of Vaibhav Sooryavanshi, from neighbouring Bihar, to start. He expected a “high-scoring” wicket. India have a three-game winning streak in T20Is in Ranchi, but overall hold a modest 4-4 record at the venue known for its small boundaries.

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