Bhuvneshwar Kumar’s return to the T20I squad for the tour of New Zealand after four years has surprised many but not assistant coach Sitanshu Kotak.
“One thing is obviously with the selectors, but I can give you an answer based on what I think. In England, I personally felt that with (Jasprit) Bumrah not being around and a lot of young bowlers playing, you can’t beat experience,” Kotak said in Ranchi on Thursday.
“The young bowlers are good, they are performing well and getting selected, but
at some stage you also need some experience.
“That might be one reason. Another thing is that Bhuvneshwar has been doing really well in the IPL for the last two seasons. So the selectors must have thought that, for New Zealand… Obviously, he has been doing well and we need some experience.
“They must have picked him. That’s what I can think, unless you can think something different.”
Bhuvneshwar’s return has also revived questions over Mohammed Shami, who remains out of the national team despite performing well in domestic cricket.
“First of all, I am not a selector, so it is difficult for me to tell you that. But Shami is also playing and he is also doing well,” Kotak added. “If the selectors feel that he is doing well and the team has a requirement, then any player can be selected.”
He also backed the BCCI’s decision to include VVS Laxman at selection meetings, particularly in communicating injury-related updates to the team management and selectors.
“Honestly, I don’t know… If any injury-related update is to be communicated by Laxman sir, I believe the decision taken by the BCCI will be purposeful,” he said.
“I worked with Laxman for three years at the Centre of Excellence. He is very particular. When I was there, he used to tell us that if the Indian team has any requirements, our first duty is to fulfil it.”