Live Update: ‘There is a different story behind this selection’ – Aakash Chopra on Bhuvneshwar Kumar’s T20I recall for New Zealand tour Aakash Chopra believes Bhuvneshwar Kumar’s selection for the five-match T20I series against New Zealand is to pave the way for the 2027 ODI World Cup.
‘There’s a different story behind this selection’ – Aakash Chopra on Bhuvneshwar Kumar’s T20I recall for New Zealand tour (Photo by Cameron Spencer/) Bhuvneshwar Kumar has been named in India’s 16-man squad for the five-match T20I series against New Zealand starting on October 22, 2026. The selection attracted attention as the right-arm pacer has been out of India’s T20I setup since November 2022, almost four years. Former India opener Aakash Chopra argued that the moment of recall has a significance that goes beyond the T20I series itself.
Chopra pointed out that Bhuvneshwar was absent from India’s tours of Ireland and England in June and July 2026, suggesting that the selectors had consciously chosen him. “This selection could have hpened in June or July when they went to Ireland and England. If only performance was rewarded, choice could have been made.
You didn’t select him there. I think they’ve made a pivot. It looks like he will do well in the excellent conditions in New Zealand.
If he performs well there, they would slowly open the path to ODIs,” Chopra said, speaking on his YouTube channel. Chopra also touched on Bhuvneshwar’s preparedness and fitness and praised the pacer for remaining well-prepared even during a long period away from international cricket. “He would be ready – he would keep picking up wickets and leading his team to victory and eventually he would be standing there whenever the door opened.
You have to give him credit for that. There are no fitness issues. He is not a fast bowler who gets injured easily, fingers crossed,” Chopra added.
Why was Bhuvneshwar Kumar recalled at this stage of his career? Bhuvneshwar Kumar has picked up 90 wickets in 87 T20Is at an economy rate of 6.96. In ODIs, he suffered 141 dismissals in 120 matches at an economy rate of 5.08, although he has not played in the 50-over format for India since January 2022.
His T20I absence dates back to November 2022, making this recall a notable development in his international career. Chopra portrayed the selection as part of a broader plan and linked it to India’s preparations for the 2027 ODI World Cup. He pointed out that the selectors had since tried other styles of bowling without being completely convinced, and pointed out that Bhuvneshwar’s experience and ability in conditions suitable for swing bowling made him an attractive match for this particular tour.
“I think that’s our goal. You’ve tried a few things now and aren’t entirely convinced. So they said: from a South African perspective, why not bring Bhuvneshwar Kumar back into the fold?
I see this opportunity from this perspective. I think this selection is not just about T20Is. There is a different story behind this selection,” Chopra said.
What does the New Zealand T20I series mean for Bhuvneshwar Kumar’s future? The five T20I matches are scheduled for October 22, 24, 27, 30 and November 1, 2026 in Christchurch, Wellington and Auckland. Chopra described this tour as the last realistic window for Bhuvneshwar to return to India’s white-ball plans ahead of the 2027 ODI World Cup.
Chopra outlined the upcoming international schedule to explain why the New Zealand tour is so important for the veteran entertainer. “This was the final chance. If you hadn’t taken him to New Zealand, the next tour after that will be Sri Lanka and Zimbabwe, coming home, then it will be the Border-Gavaskar Trophy and the IPL, and if you hadn’t included him in the ODI or T20I squad by the IPL, there wouldn’t have been any time after that.
This is the last and final opportunity,” Chopra said.
