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“We need some experience”: Indian batting coach Sitanshu Kotak on Bhuvneshwar Kumar’s inclusion in India’s T20I squad
With Bumrah set to miss India’s upcoming T20I matches in New Zealand later this month, India have recalled experienced campaigner Bhuvneshwar Kumar back into the setup. Interestingly, Kumar has earned a T20I recall after almost four years away from the side. India’s batting coach Sitanshu Kotak believes Bumrah’s absence may have played a part in the decision to bring Bhuvneshwar back into the squad. Moreover, Bhuvneshwar carries a lot of experience, due to which he has added to the squad.
,"One thing, obviously, is it's the selectors, but still I can give you an answer, what I think, because 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, performing well and getting selected, but at some stage you need experience. So I'm just thinking that might be one reason,” Kotak said at the press conference.
Bhuvneshwar’s performances for Royal Challengers Bengaluru over the past two IPL seasons have been impressive. He played a key role in the team’s back-to-back title wins, claiming 17 wickets in IPL 2025 and 28 wickets in IPL 2026.
Across those two seasons, he returned with 45 wickets while maintaining an economy rate of 7.95. Bhuvneshwar will now join the likes of Arshdeep Singh, Mayank Yadav and Prince Yadav in India’s pace attack.
“Another thing is that Bhuvneshwar has been doing really well in IPL for the last two seasons. Selectors must have thought that for New Zealand conditions, we need some experience. That's why they must have picked him. That's what I can think of,” he said.
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