I will have Bhuvneshwar Kumar in my thoughts for South Africa Tests: Aakash Chopra

The Indian team is currently preparing for a five-Test series against England, which gets underway from August 4. Later this year, the Virat Kohli-led unit will be up against South Africa in an away Test series. Former Indian player and now cricket commentator, Aakash Chopra feels that Indian pacer Bhuvneshwar Kumar, who missed a spot for the upcoming England series, can be a handy option against South Africa.

Notably, he was ruled out from action ever since December 2019 due to a hip injury. Following that, the pandemic disrupted the cricket calendar, however, he made a return to professional cricket, representing Uttar Pradesh in the domestic circuit in late 2020, before making his comeback for India during the home series against England.

Currently, Kumar is a part of the Indian team that is set to take on Sri Lanka from July 18 in a limited-overs series comprising three ODIs and as many T20Is.

Bhuvneshwar Kumar’s talent not dependent on a few games: Aakash Chopra

“You did not leave Bhuvneshwar Kumar out because there was an issue with his fitness. There were reports that he doesn’t want to play Tests but he denied that and said that he wants to play.”

Aakash Chopra stated further that the pacer’s performance in Sri Lanka will not determine his future in the Indian team. “If we talk about Bhuvneshwar and see where the next tours are, I will once again have him in my thoughts for South Africa. Before that, the matches that are there in India, you won’t play him in those. You could have probably taken him to England but you didn’t,” Chopra said.

“Next is South Africa, I will definitely have him in my thoughts, whether he does well here or not. He will do well, but just in case he doesn’t, Bhuvneshwar Kumar’s caliber, pedigree, and talent are not dependent on a few games. If you have to get him, it is a strategical and tactical decision, which you can definitely make,” he added.