Former England skipper Nasser Hussain wants India to recall experienced pacer Bhuvneshwar Kumar ahead of the five-match Test series against England, scheduled to start from August 4 in Nottingham. Bhuvneshwar Kumar failed to make the cut in the squad for the World Test Championship Final as well as the England Test series.

However, Bhuvi was named vice-captain of India’s white-ball squad that will travel Sri Lanka for three ODIs and three T20Is.

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BCCI named Ishant Sharma, Mohammed Shami, Jasprit Bumrah, Mohammad Siraj, Shardul Thakur and Navdeep Saini to fulfil the fast-bowling duties in England. However, some experts raised the point of Bhuvneshwar’s absence during the recently-concluded WTC Final against New Zealand.

Nasser Hussain is the latest to advocate for Bhuvi’s inclusion in the upcoming Test series.

“Bhuvneshwar should be called up for the England series. Though he has injury concerns, even if he can play two or three Tests for India, the team will greatly benefit. The conditions will suit him and we all saw how the team is missing a genuine swing bowler,” Hussain said on air during Day 3 of the WTC final at Southampton’s Ageas Bowl.

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Hussain’s point was valid as well. Southampton’s condition was favoring swing bowlers. Mohammed Shami shone with a four-fer while Ishant Sharma grabbed three wickets in the first innings. Jasprit Bumrah didn’t get any assistance from the pitch. Contrary, New Zealand’s pacers were benefitting from the pitch’s condition and ran riot on India’s batting lineup.

Bhuvi has had a good time playing Test cricket in England. He picked two five-wicket hauls during his 19 wickets on the 2014 tour of England. In 2018, he failed to make it to the Indian squad and has been injury-prone lately. His last Test match came in January 2018 in South Africa.

Also, it will be a tricky ask for Bhuvi to join the Indian contingent in England once the Sri Lanka series is done. The mandatory quarantine period will jeopardize things for him to join the team straight away. However, if he gets a chance, he may be able to feature in the last two or three games.