Don't write off Bhuvaneshwar Kumar yet, says Rahane after New Zealand series

Ajinkya Rahane came out in support of senior pacer Bhuvaneshwar Kumar on Monday, cautioning against hasty judgments after the bowler's underwhelming performance in India's T20 series against New Zealand. Bhuvaneshwar managed just one wicket across three matches, prompting questions about his place in the playing XI.

Rahane, speaking after the series, praised Bhuvaneshwar's character and resilience, emphasizing that the 34-year-old should not be discounted on the basis of a single poor outing. The former India skipper highlighted the veteran seamer's experience and return to competitive cricket as factors worthy of consideration.

"Bhuvaneshwar has shown great character and determination. One series doesn't define a player's career," Rahane noted, backing the experienced pace bowler to bounce back.

While addressing Bhuvaneshwar's struggles, Rahane also lauded the performance of young pacer Arshdeep Singh, who impressed with crucial wickets during the powerplay phases of the T20 matches. The contrasting performances of the two bowlers underscore the competitive nature of India's pace bowling department ahead of upcoming international assignments.