Aakash Chopra has announced his preferred Indian XI for the first T20I against New Zealand. One of his team’s major absentees is Yuzvendra Chahal.
The Indian selectors have chosen a 16-man squad for the three-match T20I series against the Black Caps. For the first time as Team India’s full-time captain in the shortest format of the game, Rohit Sharma will be in control.
“I am getting Ishan Kishan to open alongside captain Rohit Sharma. My heart is crying why I am not getting KL Rahul to open. I want to do that; he is your best opener; but then how will you play so many openers that you have picked. I am actually penalising KL Rahul for being so good that he can play down the order.” he said
While selecting Rahul and Suryakumar Yadav as the Nos. 3 and 4 hitters, the cricketer-turned-commentator also mentioned that either Shreyas Iyer or Venkatesh Iyer might bat after them.
“KL Rahul at three, SKY at four. You can play one Iyer out of Shreyas Iyer and Venkatesh Iyer at No.5, whoever you like. Shreyas Iyer should ideally play because he is senior, and has played earlier but you will not have a bowling option. If you don’t play Venkatesh Iyer now, then when?” Chopra said
Ravichandran Ashwin, according to Aakash Chopra, will have to be used as the second spinner ahead of Yuzvendra Chahal.
“Pant and Axar at six and seven. Since you have picked Ashwin, you will have to play him. You cannot pick him to make him sit out. You cannot play Chahal because you might get to bowl second, and the ball is going to get wet. So, Axar and Ashwin are my two spinners.” He explained
Deepak Chahar
In his three-pronged pace attack, the former India opener chose Deepak Chahar, Bhuvneshwar Kumar, and Mohammed Siraj.
“After that, Deepak Chahar, Bhuvi and Siraj. I will want to go with this team. You have picked Bhuvneshwar Kumar; so play him for sure. I want to play Deepak Chahar because he was in the Indian team’s travelling reserves. Mohammed Siraj is looking the best out of them; you can play him keeping the future in mind.” Aakash Chopra observed
Given the duo’s remarkable exploits in the IPL 2021, Avesh Khan and Harshal Patel might be appealing pace-bowling alternatives for Team India. However, due to the presence of Bhuvneshwar Kumar in the lineup, the Indian team management’s options may be limited.
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