Veteran India seamer Bhuvneshwar Kumar‘s current bowling form has seen many leading voices urge the selectors to give the bowler a recall. Former spinner Ravichandran Ashwin asked the selectors to include the pacer in the plans for the 2027 ODI World Cup.
Another ex-India player, Aakash Chopra, while saying he wants to see Kumar play again for India, highlighted his lack of domestic cricket appearances as a factor that could prevent a recall. Bhuvi’s last first-class match was for Uttar Pradesh against Mumbai in early 2024 at the Wankhede Stadium.
In that game, theveteran bowler had picked a total of five wickets, which included the scalps of Shivam Dube and Tanush Kotian. In the end, UP won the contest by two wickets. Taking to his YouTube channel, Chopra said: “One thing which goes against Kumar, and I want him to play for India, is that when you don’t play Ranji Trophy, your workload becomes limited.”
The 48-year-old also added, “There are only a handful of games in Vijay Hazare Trophy. If we look at ODI cricket, one has to bowl 10 overs and also field for 50 overs. It is quite a lot of workload.” In fact, the pace bowler’s last List A match was in late 2023, when he played against Andhra and claimed 1/48 from seven overs.
Aakash Chopra urges selectors to include veteran pacer if they want him in WC squad
Having played his last ODI game for India in early 2022 during the tour of South Africa, the seamer hasn’t been part of the international set-up for over four years. He has picked up 141 wickets from 121 games for India with one fifer.
Former opener then asked the selectors to include the seamer back in the side if they are serious about having him in the World Cup squad. “World Cup is not an easy tournament as a player needs to play continuously. Not just the World Cup, but one has to be part of every ODI game for a year, and they will have to play him right away.”
“Bhuvi is not a bad option, but it will be a huge mistake if he is not given a year to get ready. If a player is picked for the World Cup based on four overs of bowling in the IPL and Syed Mushtaq Ali tournament, then it is a wrong move.” For the record, Bhuvneshwar picked up 28 wickets for RCB in IPL 2026 and finished second in the purple cap race behind Kagiso Rabada.