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Former Indian chief selector MSK Prasad has welcomed Bhuvneshwar Kumar’s return to the national T20I team, saying the fast bowler deserves recall, especially after his excellent IPL performances for RCB. However, Prasad has also urged the national selectors to bring Mohammed Shami back into India’s Test and ODI teams.
With India preparing for their all-format tour of New Zealand, Prasad believes that experienced bowlers should get opportunities based on their performances. While Bhuvneshwar has already earned a chance to revive his T20I career, Shami’s impressive domestic performances should not also be ignored. He has not played for India since the ICC Champions Trophy 2025 triumph.
MSK Prasad hails Bhuvneshwar Kumar’s T20I comeback
Bhuvneshwar Kumar returned to India’s squad for the upcoming five-match T20I series against New Zealand just a day before Ajit Agarkar’s tenure as chairman of the selection committee ended. Earlier, Vaibhav Sooryavanshi’s childhood coach questions Gautam Gambhir's ‘Dictatorship’.
However, MSK Prasad did not want to guess why the decision came at that time, but he backed the experienced pacer’s selection. The 36-year-old has made a strong impact in the IPL over the last two seasons.
He picked up 17 wickets for RCB in 2025 and followed it up with 28 wickets in 2026 and played key role in the back-to-back IPL titles.
MSK Prasad was quoted as saying by India Today: “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 the IPL thoroughly deserves to be there.”
Prasad not sure about Bhuvneshwar Kumar's ODI comeback
Bhuvneshwar last played for India in a T20I against New Zealand in November 2022. But Prasad believes that the veteran fast bowler still has the class to perform in T20I cricket, but he is not that sure about his chances in the ODI format.
The former chief selector added, "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.” Amid this, Sandeep Patil opens up on tough calls involving Sachin Tendulkar and Yuvraj Singh.
MSK Prasad calls for Mohammed Shami's return
The former Indian chief selector has also called for Mohammed Shami’s return to the national team. The Bengal fast bowler began the new Ranji Trophy season with four wickets against Delhi, bowling 17.3 overs and showing that he can still deliver in red-ball cricket.
Shami’s international future has remained uncertain because of questions surrounding his fitness and workload. However, Prasad believes that the senior fast bowler’s outstanding performances in the 2015, 2019, and 2023 ODI World Cups, as well as in domestic cricket, make him worthy of another chance.
Bring him back now: MSK Prasad
Prasad would like to see Shami included in India’s squad for the upcoming Test and ODI series in New Zealand. He also believes that Shami should also be considered for the home series against Australia.
He signed off by saying, “Someone like Shami, who was your top performer in 2015, 2019, and 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. If you have to do that, then you should start giving opportunities for them from now on.”
