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According to former India opener Aakash Chopra, the BCCI’s decision to choose Prasidh Krishna over Mohammed Siraj is a career-threatening move for Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB). After the conclusion of the Afghanistan series, Team India is scheduled to tour the United Kingdom to face Ireland and England.
Ahead of the white-ball series, the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has included another fast bowler Prasidh Krishna in place of Mohammed Siraj to give him some rest, but not Bhuvneshwar Kumar.
Bhuvneshwar Kumar was ahead of Prasidh Krishna in IPL 2026
Statistically, Bhuvneshwar Kumar had a better IPL 2026 season than Krishna. Kumar missed out on getting the Purple Cap by just one wicket. Prasidh Krishna, on the other hand, started the league campaign strongly but gradually lost momentum.
As the board chose a fast bowler who took 29 wickets in 17 matches over a fast bowler who took 16 wickets in 12 matches, it gives some insight into the thought process of the selectors. Cricket fans who wanted to see Kumar play for the national team again may have been heartbroken by this decision, but the truth is the truth.
“Bhuvneshwar Kumar not being selected. Is this the end of his career? In fact, Prasidh Krishna has been selected in place of Mohammed Siraj as they are trying to do a bit of workload management.”
Aakash Chopra raised the issue on his YouTube channel ‘Aakash Chopra’, “There was an occasion earlier also, when they were selecting, and now also, when you had to replace someone, but Bhuvneshwar Kumar is not that person.”
Conditions in England will be more favorable for Bhuvneshwar Kumar
Chopra highlighted that in England and Ireland fast bowlers get extra support from the pitches and Kumar’s strength is swinging the ball both ways. When a fast bowler is overlooked by the selectors despite favorable conditions and good form, it could be a sign of a setback.
“Never say never, we all say that, but if you are still not picking him, when you have rested Siraj, and this was an opportunity in Ireland and England, where the ball rotates a bit more and the fast bowlers get help, then maybe it is the right time to give Bhuvneshwar Kumar another chance, but if he has not got a chance here, then the way forward is closed,” he said in the same video.
He should be played: Aakash Chopra
The former cricketer turned commentator and cricket expert further mentioned that after the great performances Kumar has shown in the last few weeks, he deserves to play for the national team again.
He said, “It may sound very harsh. It may sound heartbreaking because all I said was that he should be played, that he is absolutely ready, and you make so many changes because of workload management, and we have fast bowlers, but not so many that you cannot play Bhuvi a series or two. I was not talking about the World Cup. We don’t know what will happen in 2028.”