Photo via The Times of India

‘You can’t beat experience’: India coach explains Bhuvneshwar Kumar’s return

India’s cricket leadership has prioritized experience ahead of youth in recent selections, with Bhuvneshwar Kumar’s recall to the T20I squad for the New Zealand tour underscoring the strategy. The 36-year-old’s strong IPL performances over the past two seasons convinced selectors that his seasoned presence could be pivotal in unfamiliar conditions, particularly as Jasprit Bumrah’s absence from parts of the recent schedule highlighted the value of veteran bowlers alongside emerging talent.

Head coach Gautam Gambhir’s collaboration with Centre of Excellence director VVS Laxman—who now plays a direct role in player fitness assessments—aims to streamline communication about rehabilitation progress, ensuring selectors have accurate updates on players’ readiness. Meanwhile, batting coach Sitanshu Kotak emphasized that India’s current winning streak must not overshadow bench development, framing the balance as critical: success today shouldn’t come at the cost of long-term depth, even if the margin between maintaining that equilibrium and losing it remains razor-thin.

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