Team India will return to play on February 6 against the West Indies in three One-Day Internationals (ODIs) and three Twenty-Twenty-Innings (T20Is). Rohit Sharma will make his maiden appearance as full-time white-ball skipper in this series, having recovered from a hamstring injury that held him out of the South African trip.

Under KL Rahul’s leadership in ODIs, India suffered a 0-3 series setback against the Proteas, and the bowling attack’s performance was heavily criticised. With the exception of Jasprit Bumrah, who finished as India’s best wicket-taker in the series, the bowlers failed to impress, and veteran pacer Bhuvneshwar Kumar earned harsh criticism for his lacklustre performances.

Former Pakistan captain Salman Butt worries Bhuvneshwar Kumar “wouldn’t have a life as a fast bowler” until he increases his pace. Bhuvneshwar Kumar failed to collect a single wicket in two games before being dumped in the last ODI in Cape Town. Bhuvneshwar Kumar was not picked for the ODI series against the West Indies, although he remains in the T20I team.

“Bhuvneshwar Kumar needs to get his speed back.” “You don’t have a life as a fast bowler with a pace of 125-130 unless you have something ‘extra-special’ like Mohammad Asif, or unless you get the circumstances that favour spin,” Butt said on his official YouTube channel.

During the second one-day international of the series, wicketkeeper Rishabh Pant stood up for Bhuvneshwar Kumar, and Butt, alluding to the technique, noted that it doesn’t look good for a “quick bowler.”

“What are you doing as a fast bowler in South Africa if the keeper is standing up for you?” Certainly, they need to develop in a manner where they have wicket-taking alternatives, where batsmen are afraid that the bowler is quick and that they will be struck. If you don’t have speed, the batsman won’t bat you. “He’ll come at you with confidence,” Butt remarked.

“That is why Siraj is present. He was also in the previous series, however he did not appear in a single game. He should be on the field.”