Pathan says Bhuvneshwar recall cost young bowlers a chance

Former India allrounder Irfan Pathan said recalling Bhuvneshwar Kumar for the five-match T20I series against New Zealand was a mistake, arguing that the selection cost young fast bowlers an opportunity to gain experience. Pathan stressed that his criticism was about the timing of the decision, not Bhuvneshwar’s ability as a bowler. India won the series 3-2, taking the first three matches before losing the final two. The tour ran from October 22 to November 1, 2026. Bhuvneshwar, 36, returned to India’s T20I side after a four-year absence. Pathan said the series offered a chance to test developing pace bowlers in New Zealand conditions. He named Mayank Yadav and Prince Yadav as prospects who could have benefited, saying that playing on true pitches with little margin for error could help their development. In his view, selecting a senior bowler when the next T20 World Cup was not near made less sense than using the opportunity to develop younger players. Pathan also said the selection could have been justified if the team were preparing Bhuvneshwar for a nearer 50-over World Cup. He described the question as one of planning and timing, rather than a verdict on the veteran’s...