Bhuvneshwar Kumar set for return as Santner expects bowler-friendly pitches in series

Veteran fast bowler Bhuvneshwar Kumar could return to international cricket during the upcoming first T20 international match in Christchurch. New Zealand captain Mitchell Santner stated that Bhuvneshwar will enjoy the local conditions. Pitches in India increasingly favour batsmen in limited-overs matches, making bowling very difficult there. Santner noted that Bhuvneshwar successfully moves the ball even on flat tracks in India, and the new ball in New Zealand will pose a major challenge for the home team. Recent series in India saw massive scores chased down easily, including targets exceeding 250 in T20 matches. India head coach Gautam Gambhir also criticized those conditions twice due to their negative impact on bowlers. The tour features five T20 matches beginning on Thursday, followed by five one-day internationals and two Test matches. Santner hopes the white-ball series offers more help to bowlers, though he warned that weather can change pitch behaviour quickly. The second game will use the same pitch as the opener, which could become flatter.

Context

Fast-bowling conditions in countries like New Zealand often feature extra pace and bounce compared to subcontinental pitches. Visiting teams must quickly adapt their batting and bowling tactics to succeed in these different overseas environments.