NZ vs IND: Bhuvneshwar returns to Indian team after 4 years, Bumrah rested for T20Is

Bhuvneshwar Kumar has returned to India’s T20I squad after almost four years, with the veteran pacer named in the squad for the upcoming five-match series against New Zealand. The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) announced the squad on Tuesday, with Jasprit Bumrah rested for part of the T20I tour.

Bhuvneshwar last played for India in the T20 World Cup semi-final against England at the Adelaide Oval in November 2022. The 36-year-old forced his way back into the national team after strong form in the Indian Premier League in the last two seasons.

Temper has taken 45 wickets in the last two editions of the IPL for Royal Challengers Bengaluru, playing an important role in the franchise’s title-winning campaigns. His experience and consistency with the new ball has now brought him another opportunity in the T20I setup in India.

Bhuvneshwar was recently appointed as the captain of the Indian team for the Hong Kong Sixes. However, his inclusion in New Zealand’s T20I squad means he will miss the tournament.

The five-match T20I series against New Zealand begins on October 22, with Shreyas Iyer continuing as India’s captain. Tilak Varma was appointed as his deputy.

There are no major changes to the squad, with the selectors largely retaining the group that was part of India’s recent T20I plans. Vaibhav Sooryavanshi also retained his place and the youngster will be hoping to get an opportunity during the five-match series.

Bumrah’s absence is part of India’s workload management plans, with the team management keen to retain the premier fast bowler for longer assignments. He is expected to be available for the ODI and Test series against New Zealand.

With Ajit Agarkar’s tenure as chief selector officially over, Pragyan Ojha conducted the selection meeting as interim chief selector.

India are scheduled to face New Zealand in five T20Is, five ODIs and two Tests. The squads for the ODI and Test leg of the tour are yet to be announced.

Indian T20I Team: Shreyas Iyer (C), Abhishek Sharma, Sanju Samson (WK), Vaibhav Sooryavanshi, Ishan Kishan (WK), Tilak Varma (VC), Axar Patel, Shivam Dube, Nitish Kumar Reddy, Naman Dhir, Prince Yadav, Mayank Yadav, Arshdeep Varthy Singh, B Chaunk Yadav, Arshdeep Varthy Singh, B Chaun Yadav.

INDIA UNIT FOR NEW ZEALAND SERIES

The selection committee also confirmed India A’s squad for the three-match multi-day series against New Zealand A.

KL Rahul, Devdutt Padikkal, Rishabh Pant, Dhruv Jurel and Washington Sundar have all been named in the squad as the team management looks to give these players valuable match practice in conditions similar to those they will face during the two-Test series.

The India A fixtures will allow players to acclimatise to Kiwi conditions and gain valuable time in the middle before the start of the senior team’s Test campaign.

Pant’s inclusion in the A team is subject to fitness after the wicketkeeper suffered a bout of fever during the Irani Cup final against Jammu and Kashmir.

The India A team also gives the selectors an opportunity to assess players who could be part of the Test plans, with conditions in New Zealand expected to provide a useful test ahead of the two-match series.

– The end