Jasprit Bumrah, Mohammed Shami and Bhuvneswar KumarNew Delhi: Former India head coach Ravi Shastri has welcomed Bhuvneshwar Kumar’s return to the T20I squad for the New Zealand tour and believes fellow veteran Mohammed Shami has done enough to earn a recall in the longer white-ball and red-ball formats. “There is no substitute for experience,” Shastri told TOI.

“When you have a bowler of Bhuvneshwar’s quality and experience, it’s a no-brainer. With the form he showed in the IPL and his years with India, he’ll be ideal for New Zealand conditions.”

“He’s done enough with both red and white balls to be recalled to the Test and ODI sides,” he said. “I don’t think he should play all three formats until the World Cup.

He should focus primarily on Test cricket and feature sporadically in ODIs and T20Is. I’d rather preserve him for the two Tests in New Zealand, where he’ll be crucial,” he said.

“The entire tour is important. It will give a clear indication of where Indian cricket is heading.

Conditions there could also mirror some of what India might face in South Africa during the World Cup,” he said. “For India, qualifying for the final is an uphill task.

They probably need to win around 90 per cent of their remaining games, including both Tests in New Zealand and at least four of the five against Australia. It’s not impossible, but a lot depends on other results as well,” Shastri said.

“New Zealand will be coming out of winter, so the pitches should be fresh and conducive to seam and swing. The ball will move in the air and off the surface, and the wind can make things even tougher.

India will have to adapt quickly.” According to Shastri, partnerships will be vital because wickets can tumble in clusters in those conditions.

Test captain Shubman Gill faces a significant leadership test, though Shastri backed the No. “It’s a massive challenge for a young captain, but Gill is in prime form and has always done well in New Zealand.

He knows the conditions.” “I’ve never told Pant anything other than this: be smart.

He has immense ability and shouldn’t change his natural game. Just remain aware of the match situation.”

“The biggest improvement I want to see is in fielding. It has dipped alarmingly.