Former India chief selector MSK Prasad has backed Bhuvneshwar Kumar’s return to the T20I squad, pointing to the veteran pacer’s impressive Indian Premier League record, while making a strong case for Mohammed Shami to return to India’s Test and ODI teams.
Bhuvneshwar’s recall for India’s upcoming T20I series against New Zealand was announced on October 6, a day before Ajit Agarkar’s tenure as chairman of the selection committee ended.
Asked about the timing of the decision, Prasad declined to speculate but said the selection was deserved.
“I don’t know about the timing, but I think it’s a wonderful inclusion. Because someone who’s got 72 wickets in the last three-four editions of IPL thoroughly deserves to be there,” Prasad told IndiaToday.in.
Bhuvneshwar’s recent IPL numbers offer a compelling case. The 36-year-old took 17 wickets for Royal Challengers Bengaluru in 2025 before claiming 28 in the 2026 season, giving him 45 wickets across the two campaigns. His performances helped RCB secure back-to-back IPL titles, underlining his value in the shortest format.
The right-arm seamer last played for India in November 2022, in a T20I against New Zealand. His return to the squad for the five-match series marks an opportunity to revive an international career that appeared to have run its course.
Prasad, however, was less certain about Bhuvneshwar’s prospects in the 50-over format, suggesting that his immediate value lay in T20 cricket.
“I don’t know Bhuvi in an ODI format, but he will stick to the T20 format. For the class that he has, he can still play,” Prasad said.
SHAMI FOR ODI WORLD CUP?
While welcoming Bhuvneshwar’s recall, Prasad also wants the selectors to consider Shami for the upcoming assignments. The Bengal fast bowler began the new Ranji Trophy season with four wickets against Delhi, bowling 17.3 overs in a reminder of his ability to deliver in red-ball cricket.
Shami’s future with the national team has remained uncertain amid questions about his fitness and workload. But Prasad believes his record across three ODI World Cups, in 2015, 2019 and 2023, and his continued performances warrant another opportunity.
India have struggled without experience whenever Jasprit Bumrah has been away, and Bhuvneshwar’s return was to cover that area of concern in New Zealand.
“Someone like Shami, who was your top performer in 2015, 2019, 2023, and still he’s doing well, I would love to see him in the New Zealand series. I would love to see him even in an Indian series against Australia,” he said.
India’s all-format tour of New Zealand provides the immediate context for that appeal. While the T20I squad has been announced, the ODI and Test squads are yet to be named. A recall would give Shami a chance to re-establish himself before India’s home Test series against Australia in early 2027.
Prasad believes the selectors should not wait until a major series is around the corner to assess experienced players.
“If you have to do that, then you should start giving opportunities for them from now on,” he said.
For Shami, the Ranji Trophy remains an opportunity to demonstrate his readiness with the ball. Whether that translates into an international recall will become clearer when the selectors pick the squads for New Zealand.
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