The BCCI selectors decision to bring Bhuvneshwar Kumar back into India’s T20 team has now become a major talking point in cricket circles. Reports suggest that the selectors have a clear plan behind this decision.
With the 2027 ODI World Cup set to be held in South Africa, it appears that the selectors are not entirely convinced by India’s current fast-bowling lineup. Therefore, if Bhuvneshwar proves his fitness, there is a possibility that he could partner Jasprit Bumrah as one of India’s main bowlers in the mega tournament.
Former India cricketer Wasim Jaffer has strongly supported the decision. Speaking on his YouTube channel, he said, “It may have taken some time, but this is a good decision. Bhuvneshwar fully deserves this opportunity. Nobody has done him a favor by selecting him.”
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Jaffer pointed out that Bhuvneshwar has been consistently performing well in the IPL and domestic cricket for Uttar Pradesh, while also maintaining good fitness. He said he could not understand why Bhuvneshwar had been kept out for so long. According to Jaffer, age should not be used as an excuse when a player is performing well. He also stressed that a team cannot rely only on youngsters to handle pressure and that experienced senior players are definitely needed.
Jaffer also expressed strong disappointment over the way senior bowlers such as Mohammed Shami and Mohammed Siraj have been handled. While selectors are currently giving opportunities in ODIs to young players such as Gurnoor Brar, Prasidh Krishna and Nitish Reddy, Jaffer believes the team management is still not completely confident about them.
At the same time, he questioned why Siraj is not being given regular opportunities to play matches and why Shami has been left out. He pointed out that, with the World Cup approaching, there is still no clarity over who India’s second- and third-choice premier fast bowlers will be.
Jaffer said that, if it were up to him, his first-choice pace trio would be Bumrah, Shami and Siraj. If the team management wants to rebuild the squad, he suggested that such experimentation could be done after the World Cup, rather than before it.
Jaffer particularly emphasized the importance of Shami making a comeback in Test and ODI cricket. He also said he was eagerly waiting to see whether Shami and Aukeeb Nabi would be included in the squad that is expected to be announced soon.
According to Jaffer, if the selectors leave Shami out again this time, it could effectively mark the end of his international career.
