'You can’t beat experience': Batting coach Sitanshu Kotak explains Bhuvneshwar Kumar’s India recall

Four years after his last appearance for India, Bhuvneshwar Kumar has once again found his way into the national T20I setup. At 36, the veteran pacer’s return may appear surprising on paper, but India assistant coach Sitanshu Kotak believes there is a simple explanation, experience backed by performances.

Bhuvneshwar was rewarded with a recall for India’s upcoming T20I series against New Zealand after playing a pivotal role in Royal Challengers Bengaluru’s back-to-back IPL title triumphs. The pacer picked up 45 wickets across the 2025 and 2026 seasons, including 17 in 2025 and a career-best 28 in 2026.

‘At some stage, you need experience’

While the final call rested with the selectors, Kotak suggested that India’s need for an experienced campaigner in a relatively young bowling attack could have played a significant role in Bhuvneshwar’s recall.

“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 Bumrah not being around and a lot of young bowlers playing, you can’t beat experience,” Kotak said during the pre-match media interaction ahead of India’s second T20I against the West Indies.

“The young bowlers are good, they are performing well and getting selected, but at some stage you also need some experience,” he added.

Two seasons of IPL form opened the door

Bhuvneshwar’s experience alone, however, may not have been enough to earn him a return. His performances over the last two IPL seasons have strengthened his case considerably. The 36-year-old played an important role in RCB’s title-winning campaigns in 2025 and 2026, claiming 17 wickets in the former before producing an even more impressive 28-wicket season in the latter.

Kotak pointed to that consistency as another major factor behind the selectors’ decision.

“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 conditions and all, obviously he has been doing well and we need some experience,” he said.

“They must have picked him. That’s what I can think, unless you can think something different.”

New Zealand conditions could suit Bhuvi

Bhuvneshwar’s recall also comes with India preparing for a T20I series in New Zealand, where his ability to move the new ball could prove particularly useful. The veteran pacer last represented India against New Zealand in November 2022, meaning his comeback could see him return to international cricket against the same opposition against whom he last played for the country.