“One thing obviously is it’s the selectors’ choice,” Kotak said ahead of the second T20I against West Indies in Ranchi. “But still I can give you an answer about what I think: in England, I also personally felt – with Bumrah not being around and all – the new bowlers, the young bowlers were playing, and we all know that you can’t beat experience. They are also good but at some stage you need experience. So I’m just thinking that might be one reason.”
Bhuvneshwar has returned to the side after nearly four years, having taken 45 wickets across the last two IPL seasons for Royal Challengers Bengaluru. He took 17 wickets in IPL 2025 and followed it up with 28 in 2026, at an economy rate of 7.95, helping the team win back-to-back titles.
Besides his vast experience, Bhuvneshwar’s ability to swing the new ball could be particularly useful in New Zealand, where the other seamers are Arshdeep Singh, Mayank Yadav and Prince Yadav.
“Selectors must have thought that for New Zealand conditions, we need some experience,” Kotak said. “That’s why they must have picked him. That’s what I can think of.”
Kotak, who has worked with Laxman at the National Cricket Academy (NCA), said he did not know whether any specific concerns from the team management had prompted the move but said that head coach Gautam Gambhir and Laxman were already in regular contact.
“I believe that the decision taken by the BCCI will be purposeful,” Kotak said. “I have worked with Laxman for three years. He is so particular. When I was there, he used to tell us that if the Indian team has any requirement, then our first duty is to fulfil that.
“It is a different thing [on a lighter note], but sometimes we [coaches] used to take leave to go home from the NCA. And at such times, if an Indian team needed a particular player from the NCA, then Laxman wouldn’t hesitate to try asking us to postpone our leave for a week or two. That is how committed he is. So, whatever role he plays, I am sure he will think about the best of Indian cricket.”
“The way Kishan is batting, every ground he plays in is his home ground,” Kotak said. “Even then [when the pair worked together at Gujarat Lions in 2016 and 2017], he used to play aggressively. If anything, I would say that he is much more mature now. He plays according to the needs of the team and the [match] situation.”
