Tim Southee is an authority on swing bowling.

Ahead of India’s multi-format tour of New Zealand, the former Kiwi pacer shared his thoughts on all things fast bowling and much more.

On Bhuvneshwar Kumar’s recall to the Indian T20I squad, Southee said: “He’ll be thrilled to have another opportunity, which he probably didn’t think was going to come. He’s a very skilful and experienced bowler. And Bhuvneshwar probably knows his game better than he ever has. He’s still bowling extremely well in the best franchise competition in the world, the IPL… he’ll have a big impact.”

Bumrah factor

For all of Jasprit Bumrah’s global dominance, New Zealand has been a bugbear for the pace ace in the longest format. He has lost all five Tests, returning nine wickets at an average of 45.44 (career: 19.79) and strike-rate of 92.8 (42.8).

“New Zealand has played Bumrah incredibly well in Test cricket. I don’t think Bumrah has played in an Indian team that’s beaten New Zealand. I’m a big fan of Mohammed Siraj and the way he bowls. He could be a handful if he can get his length right. There’s a lot to like about Siraj in particular. There’s no reason why the other bowlers in and around Bumrah won’t be able to trouble the New Zealand batters,” Southee said during a virtual interaction on Thursday.

On the challenges facing India’s top-order in early-season Kiwi conditions, Southee said: “When you’re playing in India, arguably the easiest time to bat is with the new ball before it starts to turn. In New Zealand, it’s almost the other way around… the hardest time to bat is with the new ball.”

The 37-year-old also gave his prediction for the two-Test series.

“There will be a bit of weather around.. I’ll go 1-0 to New Zealand.”

(Watch India tour of New Zealand live and exclusive on Sony Sports Network and Sony LIV starting October 22).

In an unrelenting cricket calendar where monotony can set in over run-of-the-mill bilateral assignments, a multi-disciplinary event like the Asian Games holds the promise of a novel offering.

The competition provides a unique opportunity for India’s high-profile cricketers to mingle with athletes from other sports whilst attempting to win gold for the nation. Shreyas Iyer & Co. will be looking to do just that when they travel to Japan for the continental spectacle’s T20 tournament from September 24 to October 3.

This will be the Indian cricket team’s second appearance at the Asian Games, having pocketed gold in Hangzhou, China, in 2023.

Sunil Gavaskar hopes the Men in Blue savour the experience of a multi-sport carnival. “You get to know and talk to athletes from other sports, and get to know what makes them tick. It will be a wonderful experience,” he said during a virtual media interaction.

Though reports have emerged of the arrangements in Japan for the cricketers not being up to scratch, Gavaskar emphasised that such obstacles shouldn’t dissuade the game’s stakeholders from exploring newer markets.

“If cricket has to become a global sport, it has to be played in different parts of the world. At the Olympics, for example, you could play in a city where cricket isn’t generally played. You might not always get the best facilities,” the 77-year-old opined. “For the game to grow, I would encourage them to play wherever possible.”

If cricket is to pique the curiosity of spectators at the Asian Games, the boy wonder that is Vaibhav Sooryavanshi will have to show up. The spunky 15-year-old, who cracked two half-centuries against Zimbabwe after a baptism by fire against England, will hope to continue his upward flight.

“Look in T20 cricket, you can’t expect consistency. Vaibhav is the kind of batter who can win you three or four out of 10 games. But he’s somebody with whom we need to have patience,” assessed Gavaskar.

(Watch cricket at Asian Games 2026 on Sony Sports and Sony LIV from September 17).