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The disfavoured Indian batter Hanuma Vihari asked the Indian team management to add Bhuvneshwar Kumar and Mohammed Shami to the national team's ODI squad ahead of the 2027 ODI World Cup. Vihari's comments came right after India's defeat against the West Indies national cricket team on October 3 in New Chandigarh.
With a century by KL Rahul and a ninety-plus run knock by Rohit Sharma, a took India national cricket team posted a first-innings total of 351 runs, which they failed to defend in the second innings. Skipper Shai Hope's stellar century took the Caribbeans safely home, concluding the three-match ODI series in a 2-1 scoreline. West Indies chased down the total in 48.2 overs, exposing the Indian bowling line-up.
India faced West Indies without Jasprit Bumrah
Because of the 2026 Asian Games in Japan, the India team management was unable to secure a full-fledged ODI squad for the series against West Indies. As prime bowlers like Jasprit Bumrah or Arshdeep Singh were not with the team, the selectors had to choose multiple emerging players to challenge the away team.
In the first two matches of the contest, Prasidh Krishna was the leader of the bowling attack. In his absence because of a niggle, Mohammed Siraj went to lead the pace bowling attack.
The 351 seemed to be enough to win the match, but Shai Hope and his boys proved most of the people wrong by hunting the target down.
Hanuma Vihari asks BCCI to bring back Bhuvneshwar Kumar in ODIs
In the lead-up to the 2027 ODI World Cup, Hanuma Vihari, in his YouTube video, said that Bhuvneshwar Kumar still has the tools in his bag to support the team.
"I think they have to bring Bhuvneshwar Kumar back. In my opinion, he is still one of the best bowlers in the country. He is proving himself in the IPL. He will do it. You need that calmness, and he brings that. Indian selectors, management, coach, captain all need to think about it," Vihari said in a video on his YouTube channel.
Hanuma Vihari explains why India needs both Bhuvneshwar Kumar and Mohammed Shami
According to the batter, the West Indies cricket team had exposed the weaknesses of the Indian bowling line-up. Hanuman Vihari suggested that the Indian team management find replacements for Jasprit Bumrah and Hardik Pandya to maintain significant squad depth. For the replacements, Vihari named Bhuvneshwar Kumar and Mohammed Shami.
"The West Indies exposed the Indian bowling attack. They are not even part of the World Cup. Imagine top teams like Australia, South Africa, and England. I think it is high time that, as a team, we don't just depend on Bumrah or Hardik. What if they are not available for the World Cup due to injury? I hope it does not happen. But what if? Who are the go-to bowlers then?" He raised the question.
"You need to find the right bowling combination. You cannot depend on Bumrah and Hardik. You have to have backup in case of such injuries. I will say go with experience. Get Bhuvneshwar and Shami back. You will have some security with experience. When you need a breakthrough, you can go to them, and they will do the job for you. You need stability, and experience will always count," Hanuma Vihari concluded.
