Former India batter Hanuma Vihari has known as on the staff to convey skilled pacers Bhuvneshwar Kumar and Mohammed Shami again into the ODI setup. His feedback got here after India did not defend 351 in opposition to the West Indies within the third ODI, shedding by 5 wickets.
Vihari believes India want extra dependable bowling choices as an alternative of relying closely on Jasprit Bumrah and Hardik Pandya for wickets, particularly with the 2027 ODI World Cup lower than a yr away.
Bhuvneshwar final performed an ODI for India in 2022, with accidents affecting his profession. Nevertheless, the 36-year-old has remained efficient within the IPL, taking 45 wickets in 30 matches throughout the 2025 and 2026 seasons for Royal Challengers Bengaluru.
“I feel they need to convey Bhuvneshwar Kumar again. For my part, he’s nonetheless probably the greatest bowlers within the nation. He’s proving within the IPL,” Vihari stated on his YouTube channel.
Vihari feels Bhuvneshwar’s expertise and management with the brand new ball might give India better stability. He additionally believes Shami ought to return to strengthen the assault.
“You can’t simply rely on Bumrah and Hardik. You must have backup in case of such accidents. I’ll say go together with expertise. Get Bhuvneshwar and Shami again,” he stated. “You should have some safety with expertise. Once you want a breakthrough, you may go to them, and they’re going to do the job for you. You want stability and expertise will at all times rely.”
‘Group goes backwards’
Vihari described India’s failure to defend a complete above 350 as a significant warning signal. The West Indies chased down 351 in 48.2 overs, exposing considerations about India’s bowling, notably on flat pitches.
“We couldn’t defend 350. Is that this not a wake-up name? I feel the staff goes backwards. It is a massive blow,” he stated.
He additionally raised considerations over India’s backup bowlers after costly spells from Anshul Kamboj, Gurnoor Brar and Nitish Kumar Reddy.
“The West Indies uncovered the Indian bowling assault. They don’t seem to be even a part of the World Cup. Think about prime groups like Australia, South Africa, England,” Vihari added.
