'This could be a very important series for him' - Aakash Chopra on Ravi Bishnoi ahead of ZIM vs IND 2026 T20Is

Aakash Chopra believes that the three-match T20I series between India and Zimbabwe will give Ravi Bishnoi a chance to redeem himself after his forgettable outing in the 2nd T20I against England. The leg-spinner conceded 60 runs in his four-over spell and bowled multiple no-balls. In one of his overs, he gave away 29 runs as India failed to defend a 191-run target.

Chopra mentioned that in the absence of spin-bowling all-rounders like Washington Sundar and Axar Patel in the squad for the T20Is against the Chevrons, Bishnoi should get game time and look to make a mark.

"The obsession we have had for spin-bowling all-rounders won't be there in this series because Washington Sundar and Axar Patel aren't there. So you don't really have much. You have to play one of Ravi Bishnoi or Harsh Dubey. You might play both. You will play them because they are actually proper bowlers. They can take wickets for you," Chopra said in a video on his YouTube channel.

"This could be a slight redemption for Ravi Bishnoi because the last time he played for India, he bowled no-balls and conceded 29 runs in an over. India lost the match to England, and he was criticized a lot after that. So this could be a very important series for him," he added.

The former India opener said that in this series the Indian management is giving a chance to Harsh Dubey, who can be a backup for Axar Patel in the future.

"Harsh Dubey is getting chances because Washi gets injured so much. So, if Axar Patel isn't there at any time, at least Harsh Dubey. So you are starting to look for more options in the bowling department," he observed.

"We are unleashing pace" - Aakash Chopra on India's seam attack for ZIM vs IND 2026 T20Is

The cricketer-turned-commentator noted that India have packed their bowling attack with tearaway speedsters for the upcoming series. He pointed out the names of Ashok Sharma and Mayank Yadav - two pacers who are capable of consistently touching speeds of around 150 kmph.

"India have done a new thing for this series. We are unleashing pace. We have picked Ashok Sharma and Mayank Yadav. We are not going for medium pace now, although the ball moves a little in Zimbabwe, and that's why this team (Zimbabwe) does well. It is a very decent bowling surface. So you go with seam at times, but we have picked pace here. We have picked an out-and-out pace battery," he said.

Chopra wondered whether India would play Ashok and Mayank together or have either one of them pairing up with Yash Thakur, who doesn't have express pace but is equally talented.

"One of the two might play, or both might play. Yash Thakur is also a part of this team. In fact, that's the change that we have done. Batting is identical. The bowling is extremely young. So who among the young fast bowlers get opportunities and how they fare will be worth watching. We might actually go for Ashok and Mayank, pace from both ends, speeds of 150 kph. We can also try that," Chopra observed.