Ranchi: With Jasprit Bumrah set to miss India’s upcoming T20I series in New Zealand, the spotlight is increasingly on the team’s experienced pace options, with Mohammed Shami emerging as a key figure in discussions around India’s bowling depth.
India have been enjoying an impressive run in T20I cricket, winning their last 10 matches. Yet their struggles during the summer tour of the UK highlighted how much the side can miss the experience and class of senior fast bowlers when Bumrah is unavailable.
India suffered six consecutive defeats in the UK, including losses against Ireland and England, during a period when Bumrah was absent from the T20I setup.
The selectors have now recalled veteran seamer Bhuvneshwar Kumar for the New Zealand T20Is, a decision batting coach Sitanshu Kotak believes could be linked to the need for greater experience in the bowling attack.
Shami remains part of India’s experienced pace pool
While Bhuvneshwar’s return has attracted considerable attention, Mohammed Shami remains one of India’s most experienced fast-bowling options and his role has been an important part of the broader discussion surrounding the team’s pace resources.
The absence of Bumrah places greater responsibility on India’s other senior and emerging seamers, with Arshdeep Singh, Mayank Yadav and Prince Yadav also among the pace options.
Bhuvneshwar’s ability to move the new ball could be particularly useful in New Zealand, while Shami’s experience at the highest level provides another dimension to India’s fast-bowling resources.
Kotak explains Bhuvneshwar’s recall
Speaking ahead of India’s second T20I against West Indies in Ranchi, Kotak suggested that the selectors may have considered experience a major factor while assembling the squad for New Zealand.
“With Bumrah not being around, the new bowlers, the young bowlers were playing, and we all know that you can’t beat experience,” Kotak said.
Bhuvneshwar, 36, returns to India’s T20I squad after nearly four years away from international cricket. His recent IPL performances have strengthened his case, with the seamer taking 17 wickets in 2025 and 28 in 2026 for Royal Challengers Bengaluru.
Kotak also pointed specifically to New Zealand’s conditions as a possible reason behind the veteran seamer’s selection.
“Selectors must have thought that for New Zealand conditions, we need some experience. That’s why they must have picked him,” he said.
India’s pace attack faces a test in New Zealand
New Zealand’s conditions could make the new-ball phase particularly important, potentially increasing the value of India’s experienced seamers.
Bumrah’s absence means India will have to manage a bowling attack that combines established international experience with younger options.
For a team that endured a difficult run without Bumrah earlier this year, the return of experienced campaigners such as Bhuvneshwar — alongside India’s wider pool of senior fast bowlers, including Shami — could be significant as the side prepares for another challenging overseas assignment.
India will enter the New Zealand series on the back of a 10-match T20I winning streak and will be looking to maintain that momentum despite the absence of their premier fast bowler.
