Former Indian Test opener Sadagopan Ramesh credited Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma for Bhuvneshwar Kumar’s comeback for the T20I series against New Zealand. Ramesh highlighted that the veteran duo of Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma have shown that age is just a number and performances should be given priority in a player’s selection.
Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma’s place in the team has been put under scrutiny on many occasions but the pair has silenced their critics with consistent performances in the last one year.
Ramesh pointed out that Pragyan Ojha-led selection committee decided to back Bhuvneshwar Kumar based on his IPL performances after Ajit Agarkar’s exit. Kumar took 28 wickets in 16 matches of IPL 2026.
Sadagopan Ramesh said on his Instagram handle, “To come back after four years is amazing. Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma have sent a strong message that age is just a number. With that, the BCCI and the selectors’ thought process have also clearly changed. After the exit of the selector who thought age wasn’t just a number, the other members of the selection committee, with the freedom to decide, have picked performance over age with Bhuvneshwar Kumar’s inclusion.”
“His bowling was the biggest pillar in RCB winning back-to-back titles. He tormented all the batters with his banana swing. It was clear that he maintained incredible fitness and form. It’s why all the fans were pushing for his recall, and finally their prayers have been answered.”
The former flamboyant batter said Mohammed Shami can also make a comeback if Bhuvneshwar proves his mettle at the top stage.
“Bhuvneshwar Kumar doing well in his return is important for two reasons. The first is just that he’s a highly skilled bowler. But the second and more important reason is that if Bhuvneshwar also proves that age is just a number through his bowling, the next stop will be Mohammed Shami, and Shami will get his opportunity,” said Ramesh (via the aforementioned source).
India’s tour of New Zealand starts on October 22 with the first T20I at Christchurch’s Hagley Oval.
