Indian bowler Bhuvneshwar Kumar during the fifth and final T20I between India and the West Indies at the M. Chinnaswamy Stadium in Bengaluru on October 17, 2026. | Photo Credit: K. MURALI KUMAR
Former India head coach Ravi Shastri believes Bhuvneshwar Kumar’s experience makes his return to the T20I squad a straightforward selection call, while describing India’s tour of New Zealand as a crucial examination of the team’s direction across formats.
“There is no substitute for experience. It’s not bought or sold in the market, so when you have experience with that kind of quality, it’s a no-brainer,” Shastri said of Bhuvneshwar, who has returned to the Indian T20I set-up after a four-year hiatus.
The 36-year-old’s recall follows impressive performances for Royal Challengers Bengaluru in the IPL, where he played a key role in the franchise’s consecutive title triumphs. “With the kind of form he showed in the IPL and the years he’s been around India, he’ll be ideal for New Zealand conditions, or for that matter, any conditions,” Shastri said.
RCB's Bhuvneshwar Kumar during the IPL 2026 match between Royal Challengers Bengaluru and Delhi Capitals (DC), at the M. Chinnaswamy Stadium, in Bengaluru on Saturday, April 18, 2026. | Photo Credit: K. MURALI KUMAR
India will play five T20Is and five ODIs alongside two Tests during the tour. While the longest format carries significant weight in the World Test Championship race, Shastri cautioned against viewing the other legs in isolation.
“The Test series is important. The emphasis now will be on the one-day game as well as T20. The whole tour of New Zealand is an important tour,” he said. “The full one and a half month is going to be critical because it will tell you where Indian cricket is going in the future. Conditions in New Zealand might be a little similar to what you might encounter in South Africa.”
Shastri also identified the tour as a significant challenge for ODI and Test captain Shubman Gill, despite the batter’s familiarity with New Zealand conditions.
Shubman Gill of India bats during Day Four of the 4th Rothesay Test match between England and India at Emirates Old Trafford on July 26, 2025 in Manchester, England. | Photo Credit: Getty Images
“He is in prime form. He has always done well in New Zealand right from a young age. But for a young captain travelling there overseas, it will be a challenge,” he said.
On Rohit Sharma’s preparations for the 2027 ODI World Cup, Shastri advocated continuity rather than reinvention.
“He doesn’t have to change for anybody in the world. He has been getting runs. There’s very little he has to change, and if there’s anything to be changed, he will know it better than anybody else,” he said.
(Watch India’s tour of New Zealand live and exclusive on Sony Sports Network and Sony LIV from October 22.)
Published - October 19, 2026 12:23 am IST