Bhuvneshwar Kumar has been all over social media for the last two days following his surprising comeback to India’s T20I squad for the upcoming series against New Zealand. The experienced fast bowler has returned to the Indian team after almost four years, and his selection has sparked widespread discussions about his possible return to the ODI setup ahead of the 2027 World Cup.
Several cricket experts, including Ravichandran Ashwin and Aakash Chopra, believe that Bhuvneshwar Kumar could be part of India’s plans for the ODI World Cup 2027. According to this theory, the selectors will assess his form and fitness during the New Zealand T20I series before considering him for the ODI team.
Ashwin has even gone a step further, predicting that Bhuvneshwar Kumar could bowl the first ball for India in the 2027 ODI World Cup.
However, the biggest twist came when India’s batting coach Sitanshu Kotak addressed the media ahead of the second T20I against the West Indies. When asked about Bhuvneshwar’s selection, Kotak offered a completely different explanation.
Sitanshu Kotak Reveals the Reason Behind Bhuvneshwar Kumar’s Selection
During the press conference ahead of the second T20I against the West Indies, India’s batting coach Sitanshu Kotak explained why the selectors decided to bring Bhuvneshwar Kumar back into the T20I squad.
According to Kotak, India badly missed an experienced fast bowler during the T20I series against England. With Jasprit Bumrah unavailable, there was no senior pacer who could guide the inexperienced bowling attack on the field.
“During the T20I series against England, we badly missed an experienced bowler. In Bumrah’s absence, there was no bowler who could lead our inexperienced pace attack on the field. The selectors felt that Bhuvneshwar Kumar brings vast experience, and he has performed well in the IPL recently. On New Zealand pitches, his experience and ability to swing the ball will help India in Bumrah’s absence. This is my point of view. What your views and thinking are, only you know.” As per Kotak
Kotak’s explanation is completely different from the theories circulating on social media over the last two days.
His statement suggests that Bhuvneshwar Kumar has been selected primarily to strengthen India’s T20I bowling attack rather than as part of a confirmed plan for the ODI World Cup 2027.
Interestingly, Kotak’s closing remark about everyone having their own views could also be seen as a subtle dig at the speculation surrounding Bhuvneshwar’s selection.
Is Bhuvneshwar Kumar’s ODI World Cup 2027 Comeback Really Being Planned?
Kotak’s statement suggests that Bhuvneshwar Kumar has been selected primarily to strengthen India’s T20I bowling attack rather than as part of a confirmed plan for the ODI World Cup 2027.
While Ashwin and several other cricket experts believe that Bhuvneshwar’s T20I comeback could eventually lead to his ODI return, Kotak has offered a more immediate reason for his selection.
His remarks about different people having different opinions could also be interpreted as a subtle response to the theories being discussed on social media since the squad announcement.
Why ODI World Cup 2027 Looks More Practical Than T20 World Cup 2028 for Bhuvneshwar Kumar
Another interesting aspect of Bhuvneshwar Kumar’s comeback is his age.
The experienced fast bowler is already 36 years old and will be 38 by the time the 2028 T20 World Cup takes place.
Considering his age, selecting him for the T20I team with the 2028 World Cup in mind is difficult to understand. By then, Bhuvneshwar will be approaching 39, and it is difficult to imagine a fast bowler of that age representing India in a major international tournament.
This is why his possible involvement in the ODI World Cup 2027 appears to be a more practical explanation behind his comeback.
The 2027 World Cup will be played in South Africa, Zimbabwe and Namibia, where Bhuvneshwar’s ability to swing the new ball could become an important weapon for India.
He has also shown that he still has the ability to perform at a high level, having taken 28 wickets in IPL 2026.
If he performs well against New Zealand, there is every possibility that his name will come into consideration for the ODI squad.
For now, two different explanations have emerged regarding Bhuvneshwar Kumar’s comeback. While Ravichandran Ashwin believes he could play the ODI World Cup 2027, India’s batting coach Sitanshu Kotak has explained his selection in terms of the team’s immediate need for an experienced fast bowler in T20Is.
It will be interesting to see whether Kotak’s explanation proves to be the complete reason behind Bhuvneshwar’s selection or whether the selectors are also considering him for the ODI World Cup 2027.
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