Former India opener Aakash Chopra says that he would have Bhuvneshwar Kumar in the Indian Test team for their upcoming tour of South Africa in December. Bhuvneshwar Kumar was not included in the Indian team for the England Test tour citing fitness reasons.
Bhuvneshwar Kumar had suffered a hip injury during the IPL 2020 and had a lengthy rehab, making his return to domestic cricket for Uttar Pradesh and then made his India return against England in the limited-overs series at home and performed well.
His absence was quoted as one of the reasons for India’s loss in the World Test Championship final against New Zealand, as Indian bowlers failed to get swing in bowling-friendly conditions at Southampton.
In his latest YouTube video, Chopra said, “You did not leave Bhuvneshwar Kumar out because there was an issue with his fitness. There were reports that he doesn't want to play Tests but he denied that and said that he wants to play.”
Chopra further said that he would like for the Indian team to consider Bhuvneshwar Kumar for the South Africa tour and that his inclusion would not be based on his performances in Sri Lanka.
“If we talk about Bhuvneshwar and see where the next tours are, I will once again have him in my thoughts for South Africa. Before that, the matches that are there in India, you won’t play him in those. You could have probably taken him to England but you didn’t,” Chopra said.
“Next is South Africa, I will definitely have him in my thoughts, whether he does well here or not. He will do well, but just in case he doesn't, Bhuvneshwar Kumar's caliber, pedigree, and talent are not dependent on a few games. If you have to get him, it is a strategical and tactical decision, which you can definitely make,” he added.
Chopra also spoke about Hardik Pandya and the allrounder’s inability to return to Test cricket due to his back issues. Both Bhuvneshwar and Hardik will be seen in action against Sri Lanka in a limited-overs series that begins from July 18 in Colombo.
SL v IND 2021: "Hardik Pandya is bowling, and it's a very good sign," says Suryakumar Yadav
Touching upon the issue while answering a fan question, Chopra said, “Hardik Pandya has made it very clear that he is not going to bowl in Test cricket at this point. Hardik's name will not come in Tests unless he bowls, that thing is almost written in stone although he has a Test century as well. But then if he is not bowling, you won't play him, you will play a proper batsman, maybe a Hanuma Vihari or someone else.”
These answers came when a fan asked whether Bhuvneshwar Kumar and Hardik Pandya might return to the Indian Test side for future series based on their performances in Sri Lanka.
