The Indian cricket board has reportedly added veteran fast bowler Bhuvneshwar Kumar to the squad for the fifth and deciding Twenty20 International against West Indies. The move purportedly comes as a cover-up measure for Arshdeep Singh, who is allegedly struggling with a shoulder injury sustained during a tense fourth match in Hyderabad.

According to official statements, Arshdeep was forced to retire hurt after taking a blow to his bowling shoulder while batting, a turning point that allowed the West Indies to level the five-match series at 2-2. The setback highlights mounting vulnerabilities within the Indian setup as they attempt to salvage the series finale in Bengaluru.

Bhuvneshwar, 36, makes his long-awaited return to the national T20 setup for the first time in nearly four years. The veteran seamer has also been reportedly locked in for the upcoming T20 tour of New Zealand, signaling a potential shift in the selection strategy of the Indian management.

The series has proven to be a difficult challenge for the hosts, who initially led twice only to see their momentum halted by West Indies captain Shai Hope, whose twin centuries and record-breaking run chase have thoroughly exposed the gaps in the Indian team's bowling strategy.

Source: www.aljazeera.com