Aakash Chopra lists two key reasons behind Bhuvneshwar Kumar’s unimpressive comeback in NZ vs IND 2026 T20Is

Former opener Aakash Chopra attributed Bhuvneshwar Kumar’s poor comeback in the T20I series against New Zealand to two factors. He opined that the bowler’s length was a bit on the shorter side and added that the pacer’s speed was also not too impressive.

Bhuvneshwar made a much-hyped comeback to the Indian team during recently-concluded T20I series in New Zealand. However, the 36-year-old struggled to make much of an impact. He hardly looked threatening with the ball.

During a discussion on Cricinfo, Chopra shared his thoughts on Bhuvneshwar’s lukewarm comeback and commented:

“The length has been on a bit of a shorter side to begin with. It has worked in the IPL. It is not working now. The pace is not really the high 130s. It’s either high 120s or very early 130s. That is where he’s operated with a length that’s slightly shorter on true batting surfaces.

“He started well, on a couple of occasions. But when you look at the final figures, it’s normally in the excess of 10s or 11s. So if you’re going there, his comeback hasn’t been as good as we all thought that it will be.”

In four matches during the T20I series in New Zealand, Bhuvneshwar claimed one wicket at an average of 180 and an economy rate of 11.25.

“Looks tough” – Chopra on whether Bhuvneshwar will be retained for the T20Is against Sri Lanka

India’s next T20I assignment will be a three-match home series against Sri Lanka. Chopra feels that the Indian management gave mixed signals about Bhuvneshwar by resting him for the fourth T20I in New Zealand and recalling him for the fifth. He, however, opined that the chances of the pacer being picked for the series against Sri Lanka look very slim. Chopra commented:

“I felt that he should have played all five T20Is [in New Zealand]. India decided to play him in the first three, rested him in the fourth. I don’t know why. Then brought him back in the fifth. Again, I don’t know why. So, you start thinking that the team is still thinking about him. They have not written him off. But, it looks tough.”

Bhuvneshwar has featured in 92 T20Is and has claimed 91 wickets at an average of 24.82 and an economy rate of 7.18, with two five-fers and three four-fers.

Edited by Renin Wilben Albert