Mitchell Santner believes Bhuvneshwar Kumar could pose a massive threat to New Zealand in the upcoming T20I series against India. Bhuvneshwar made his international comeback after four years when he was named in India’s squad for the series against the Black Caps.

He was subsequently added to the squad for the final T20I against the West Indies in Bengaluru. However, the 36-year-old pacer did not get a chance to bowl as the match was abandoned due to rain.

Santner said Bhuvneshwar has the ability to generate movement even on flat Indian pitches, making him a dangerous prospect in New Zealand. The Kiwi skipper particularly highlighted the Indian pacer’s threat with the new ball, suggesting that New Zealand’s batters would have their task cut out against him.

“I think Bhuvi will love these conditions in New Zealand. If there's anything in the wicket, he'll find something out of it,” Santner said ahead of the T20I series. “[Even] on some flat ones in India, still manages to nip the ball and swing the ball. So with the new ball out here especially, he'll be a challenge.”

Interestingly, Bhuvneshwar does not have the best T20I record in New Zealand, having taken just four wickets in five matches since 2019.

RELIEF FOR INDIA BOWLERS IN NEW ZEALAND

Santner said Bhuvneshwar and the other Indian bowlers could get some breathing space after bowling on the pitches used during the West Indies series, where even totals of 240 were not safe.

“I mean, in India, it's pretty challenging as a bowler these days, like we've seen in the recent series [against West Indies], 250 getting chased down — who wants to be a bowler? — but he might like it out here a little better,” Santner added.

Bhuvneshwar and the Indian bowlers will look to make an impact when the series opener takes place on Thursday, October 22, at Hagley Oval in Christchurch.

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