Bhuvneshwar Kumar's omission from Test squad leaves Aakash Chopra baffled

The cricketer turned commentator Aakash Chopra has expressed his surprise over the exclusion of Bhuvneshwar Kumar from the Test squad for the England tour. India yesterday announced a 20 member squad for the WTC final and the 5 match Test series against England. While they have included six pacers, Bhuvneshwar Kumar is missing from the squad.

Advertisment

Chopra, on his YouTube channel, said that Kumar's omission from the team is a little surprising.

"Bhuvneshwar Kumar's name not being there is a little surprising from my point of view. It is possible he might not have gotten fit till the WTC final or you may not have wanted to take a chance with him," said Chopra.

While Chopra acknowledged that Bhuvneshwar Kumar might not have regained his full fitness before the WTC final, he said that a swing bowler like Bhuvneshwar Kumar could have been an asset for Team India in the Test series against England.

Advertisment

"But if there are five Test matches in England and you have a bowler like Bhuvi bowling at his peak, you can surely play him two or three of the five Test matches. That's what I would be thinking that if I get a bowler like Bhuvi in those conditions, he is an asset," added Chopra.

Bhuvneshwar Kumar has been dealing with injuries for the last couple of years. He has not played a Test for India since India's tour to South Africa in 2018. He looked in fine rhythm in the now postponed IPL but picked up a thigh injury midway through the tournament.

Bhuvneshwar Kumar has 63 wickets to his name in the 21 Tests he has played for India. His career-best figures of 6/82 came against England at Lords.

Also read: Eight-day bubble in India, 10-day quarantine in UK: BCCI reveal India's travel plan for England tour - Sky247 Blog

Follow SKY247.net for all the latest cricket, football, and other sports news from all parts of the world.