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International cricket is back as teams turn their focus towards ODIs, T20Is and Tests. The India national cricket team will also take the field against Afghanistan for a one-off Test match and then a 3-match ODI series. Earlier, former opener Aakash Chopra has commented on fast bowler Bhuvneshwar Kumar.
The former Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) batsman believes that Bhuvneshwar Kumar should have been given a chance once again in the Men in Blue team. The experienced seamer was in sensational form during IPL 2026. He was crucial in Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB)’s back-to-back success in winning the Tata Indian Premier League (IPL) in 2025 and 2026.
You think they should be fed – Aakash Chopra on Bhuvneshwar Kumar
Bhuvneshwar Kumar was the leading wicket-taker for the franchise and the second-highest wicket-taker in the tournament this season with 28 wickets, and he bowled at an economy of 7.65 in the 16 matches he played for the champion team. He was unstoppable and came back this year with a different kind of pace and swing and demolished some great batsmen.
“If you think emotionally, you feel he should be played because if performance is the criteria, then what else can one do? You must get the chance, but then the question arises whether it will be a short-term plan or are you thinking long-term,” Aakash Chopra said on his YouTube channel.
“White-ball cricket moves in cycles. In T20, as soon as the World Cup ends, you start seeing changes within the next six months which prepares you for 2028.”
Maybe it’s a little more difficult – Aakash Chopra on Bhuvi’s return
Aakash Chopra believes that Bhuvneshwar Kumar deserves a chance, as he is a fast bowler and is already 36 years old, and India has to play many T20 matches this year, so Aakash has asked the selectors to give him some chances in the upcoming series for the Men in Blue.
“At least give Bhuvneshwar Kumar some chances because he is a fast bowler. If he were a batsman, I would say leave it because there are too many of them. Since India will play so much T20 cricket, play him. Who knows, he might get you the World Cup.”
He said, “Two years is a lot. He is not getting any younger. He is already 36 years old. Maybe it is a bit difficult for a fast bowler to last that long, but maybe he can get a chance in T20 cricket.”
I am also saying that he is ready – Aakash Chopra
Aakash Chopra also stressed on bringing Vaibhav Suryavanshi into the senior team and believes that the MVP and IPL 2026 Orange Cap winner is ready to play at the senior level.
He said, “I am also saying that he is ready, but no one has an answer to the question of how he should be selected. You have only two options. One is that you tell Sanju Samson that you are not selecting him, that he has won two consecutive World Cups, scored in virtual quarter-finals, semi-finals and finals and became the player of the tournament, but now you are being removed because we have got something new.”
Also read: “Where are you now…”: David Warner takes a dig at Bhuvneshwar Kumar’s post; Revives franchise vs player debate
