Batting coach Sitanshu Kotak opens up on Bhuvneshwar Kumar's India recall

Bhuvneshwar Kumar (Pic: BCCI)

India batting coach Sitanshu Kotak has highlighted that pacer Bhuvneshwar Kumar's experience and dominant Indian Premier League displays were pivotal factors behind his international return after a four-year absence.

Addressing the media in Ranchi on the eve of the second T20I against the West Indies, Kotak addressed the selectors' decision to bring back the 36-year-old veteran ahead of the upcoming tour of New Zealand.

Bhuvneshwar's last appearance for the national side came in the 2022 T20 World Cup semi-final against England in Adelaide. With Jasprit Bumrah unavailable and a young pace attack deployed during recent fixtures in England, the team management recognised an urgent requirement for a seasoned leader in the bowling department.

"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," Kotak explained.

"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," he added.

IPL form key factor for Bhuvi's comeback

The veteran fast bowler's international lifeline follows a remarkable resurgence with Royal Challengers Bengaluru in the Indian Premier League, capturing 45 wickets across 31 matches at a stellar average of 22.55 to secure consecutive title triumphs for the franchise in 2025 and 2026. During the most recent 2026 season alone, Bhuvneshwar finished as the second-highest wicket-taker with 28 scalps from 16 games, maintaining an economy rate of 7.95.

India's multi-format tour of New Zealand kicks off with a five-match T20I series beginning October 22, followed by five ODIs and two Test matches where the seamer's expertise will be heavily relied upon.

The ODI team for the tour is yet to be announced, and Bhuvneshwar Kumar could feature in that too.

(With inputs from ANI)