Aakash Chopra concedes that Ravindra Jadeja opts for a cautious approach in bowling. Nonetheless his conviction remains strong that Yuzvendra Chahal will not displace the leftarm spinner in Indias team for the 2024 T20 World Cup.
India is all set to go headtohead with Bangladesh in their second Super 8 clash in Antigua this Saturday June 22. Chances are they will stick with the identical starting XI that secured them a 47run triumph over Afghanistan in Barbados just a couple of days ago.
In a YouTube video, Aakash Chopra was asked if Chahal should replace Jadeja in India’s XI because the latter is a defensive bowler.
“It’s a very interesting question. What you are saying is right. Ravindra Jadeja has picked up just one wicket thus far and four matches have passed. He didn’t even bowl in one match. He didn’t bowl or bat in one match, he didn’t do anything. There is no doubt that Jadeja is a defensive bowling option. He is not your attacking option and is almost like-for-like to Axar Patel, so why not Yuzi Chahal?”
Aakash Chopra
The former India opener believes Chahal will not play in the ongoing T20 World Cup unless Kuldeep Yadav is unavailable.
“However, I still do not feel he will play. I feel he won’t play in the entire tournament unless something happens to Kuldeep Yadav. God forbid, nothing should happen. Our kid should remain absolutely healthy and should remain in form because he is a wicket-taker. He is an X-factor,”
Aakash Chopra
Ravindra Jadeja in the current 2024 T20 World Cup has only bowled a total of six overs managing to secure just one wicket at an economy rate of 6.17. In contrast Kuldeep has participated in only one match so far where he displayed figures of 2/32 in a fourover spell against Afghanistan.
“Ravindra Jadeja provides you batting at Nos. 6, 7 or 8” – Aakash Chopra
Aakash Chopra stated that Ravindra Jadeja is preferred over Yuzvendra Chahal because of his all-round ability.
“Yuzi Chahal is not playing because batting becomes slightly weak, or else we should say batting becomes short. Ravindra Jadeja provides you batting at Nos. 6, 7 or 8. He is a gun fielder. He might be a defensive option but you will find many times that the captain will get four overs between him and Hardik.”
Aakash Chopra
According to the renowned commentator, Rohit Sharma will split the eight overs between Jadeja, Axar Patel, and Hardik Pandya depending on the conditions.
“If it’s an absolute rank turner, then his four and Axar’s four. Then Hardik might not bowl his entire four but if the pitch is flat and he (Jadeja) gets hit a little, he (Rohit) will go quickly to Hardik Pandya, and get eight overs bowled between him, Axar and Hardik. So I don’t see Yuzi Chahal playing now as well.”
Aakash Chopra
Jadeja has scored only seven runs in two innings of the 2018 T20 World Cup. However, his presence in the lower-middle order allows the top-order batters to be a little more aggressive.