Former India cricketer Deep Dasgupta has raised questions about Team India’s talent pipeline following pace bowler Bhuvneshwar Kumar’s return to the national team. The veteran pacer was recently named in India’s squad for the five-match away T20I series against New Zealand, beginning on October 22, having last played in the format in November 2022 as well.

Speaking during a discussion on his YouTube channel (Deep Dasgupta), he said: “It does raise a few questions in my mind. What about the pipeline we keep talking about? Why do we keep saying that we can send two teams, or even three teams? You know, then let’s not make such claims. While I am very happy for Bhuvi and the fact that he is making a comeback, I am also a little concerned about what it says about our bench strength.”

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However, Deep Dasgupta also questioned India’s transition plans, sharing that the team has often spoken about grooming the next generation and the depth of talent in white-ball cricket. With Bhuvneshwar Kumar returning to the setup at 36 and the next T20 World Cup still two years away, he also questioned whether the situation reflected well on the system as well.

He said: “We are looking at the next generation and talking about transition. So, if Bhuvi is making a comeback at 36 after four years, and your major T20 tournament is after two years, which is the World Cup, I don’t know, does this say good things about the system? We keep saying that we have talent in white-ball cricket, that we have talent. Yet, we have Bhuvi making a comeback at 36 after four years.”

“Again, please don’t get me wrong. I am happy that he is back. I am happy that, based on his IPL performances, you are giving him opportunities, which is absolutely fine. Again, I am not saying that age is not an issue at all. If he is fit, which he is, and he is bowling brilliantly, that’s great,” he concluded.