India Coach Breaks Silence On Bhuvneshwar Kumar's Return For West Indies Series Decider

Bhuvneshwar Kumar would bring valuable experience and depth to the team's young bowling attack.© BCCI

India have added veteran seamer Bhuvneshwar Kumar to their squad for the fifth and final T20I against West Indies after Arshdeep Singh sustained a blow to his bowling shoulder during the fourth match. With Arshdeep Singh the only experienced specialist pacer in the side, India bowling coach Morne Morkel welcomed Bhuvneshwar Kumar's return, saying his experience and performances for Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) would bring valuable experience and depth to the team's relatively young bowling attack.

Morkel was speaking to the reporters on the eve of India's fifth T20I against West Indies in Bengaluru.

“I'm really excited to have him back in the mix. He's done exceptionally well for RCB in the past, and I think his experience will add a lot of value to a relatively young bowling attack. So, it's great to have him back, and I'm really looking forward to it,” Morkel said.

As India continue to concede big totals and struggle to defend scores in excess of 200 in the ongoing West Indies T20I series, Morkel said the focus is on helping India's young bowling attack make smarter decisions under pressure at Bengaluru's high-scoring venue, stressing that consistent execution of deliveries such as yorkers comes with experience and game time.

The ongoing T20I series between India and West Indies has turned into a run-fest, with scores in excess of 200 becoming increasingly difficult to defend.

While India cruised to a comfortable eight-wicket win in the opening match after chasing 172, the second T20I in Ranchi exposed their bowling as West Indies chased down a massive 250-run target, reaching 252/4 in just 18.3 overs.

India bounced back in the third match, defending 223 to secure a 14-run victory despite West Indies scoring 209/7. However, the hosts once again struggled to contain the opposition in the fourth T20I, as Shai Hope's unbeaten century powered West Indies to 247/3 before India fell 24 runs short.

(Except for the headline, this story has not been edited by NDTV staff and is published from a syndicated feed.)

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