Aakash Chopra on Bhuvneshwar Kumar's T20I recall for NZ series

Former India opener Aakash Chopra says Bhuvneshwar Kumar’s recall to India’s squad is aimed at building a longer-term pathway toward the 2027 ODI World Cup. Bhuvneshwar, a right-arm pacer, has been named in India’s 16-member team for a five-match T20I series against New Zealand starting October 22, 2026. Chopra noted the pacer hadn’t appeared in India’s T20I setup since November 2022 and was absent from tours to Ireland and England in June and July 2026. He argued selectors have “pivoted,” expecting Bhuvneshwar to exploit New Zealand’s conditions. Chopra also said there are no fitness concerns, citing the pacer’s 90 T20I wickets at 6.96 economy and 141 ODI dismissals at 5.08.