Former Indian Test opener Aakash Chopra has put his weight behind Bhuvneshwar Kumar’s comeback into the Indian team after IPL 2026. Kumar returned with impressive figures of 2-29 in his quota of four overs and played a key role in restricting Gujarat Titans to 155 in the IPL final on Sunday. 

The experienced seamer accounted for in-form Sai Sudharsan with a short delivery and also dismissed Jason Holder. Kumar ended IPL 2026 with 28 scalps in 16 matches at an average of 17.89 and an economy rate of 7.95. 

Thus, the experienced seamer played an instrumental role in taking RCB to glory as he came up with consistent performances throughout the season.

“If you think emotionally, you feel he should be played because if performance is the criterion, what more can anyone do? You should get a chance for sure, but then the question arises whether it will be short-term planning or if you are thinking long-term. White-ball cricket runs in cycles. In T20s, as soon as the World Cup gets over, you start seeing changes within the next six months that prepare you for 2028,” Aakash Chopra said on his YouTube Channel.

Chopra expressed his uncertainty regarding Kumar’s selection for the T20 World Cup but backed the selectors to give him a chance in the shortest format.

“Give Bhuvneshwar Kumar a few chances at least because he is a fast bowler. If he had been a batter, I would have said leave it, as many of them are there. Since India will play so much T20 cricket, play him. Never know, he gives you a World Cup. Two years is a lot. He is not getting younger. He is already 36 years old. Maybe it’s a little too tough for a fast bowler to last that long, but maybe he can get a chance in T20 cricket,” he observed.

Kumar would look to continue the good show in the domestic circuit.