Aakash Chopra believes Ravi Bishnoi and Washington Sundar won’t make it to India’s team for the first T20I. This match with Afghanistan is scheduled in Mohali on January 11.
The team has four main spinners: Bishnoi, Sundar, Axar Patel, and Kuldeep Yadav. However, in the inaugural match, Virat Kohli’s presence will be absent, he took a personal leave.
Rahul Dravid confirmed Rohit Sharma and Yashasvi Jaiswal will be the lead batters. Additionally, Chopra predicted that Shubman Gill might replace Kohli at the No. 3 spot. He clarified:
“The Indian team’s coach Rahul Dravid has said that you will see Yashasvi with Rohit as an opener as that’s the right way to go. There will be a question at No. 3. Will Shubman be seen at No. 3? At times, you play a player just to keep the seat warm. So as soon as Kohli comes, Gill will be out, that’s a possibility.”
Aakash Chopra
The former opener for India believes the hosts might bat Tilak Varma at No. 3 and possibly field Sanju Samson and Jitesh Sharma in the same lineup. He declared:
“If Gill doesn’t play at No. 3 hypothetically, who will you play? You can play Tilak Varma at No. 3. Then you can play Rinku Singh at No. 4. You can have a direct shoot-out between Jitesh Sharma and Sanju Samson at No. 5 and No. 6, or else you can keep Shivam Dube there.”
Aakash Chopra
Chopra noted that if Shivam Dube is used ahead of Samson, India may have a glut of left-handers in the top six. He noted:
“Shivam Dube can be there and then Jitesh Sharma can play at No. 6. That is also a possibility. So plenty of left-handers – Yashasvi as an opener, Tilak Varma, Rinku Singh and Shivam Dube. There could be four left-handers in the top six if you need an extra bowler.”
Aakash Chopra
Chopra suggested the idea of team Rohit considering Sanju Samson for the No. 3 position. That said, he disagreed with this thought. His logic? The Kerala wicketkeeper-batter shouldn’t try out for a spot that’s destined to elude him in the future.
“Axar will play for sure” – Aakash Chopra on India’s potential bowling lineup
Aakash Chopra anticipates that India would use Kuldeep Yadav and Axar Patel as their two spinners. He declared:
“After that, Axar will play for sure. Axar is also a left-hander. If you wish to play Washington Sundar by mistake, another left-hander. However, I don’t think Washi will be able to play. I feel if Axar is at No. 7, you will have to play a spinner only at No. 8 and that will be Kuldeep Yadav.”
Aakash Chopra
The former cricket player strongly believes Arshdeep Singh, Avesh Khan, and Mukesh Kumar – all skilled fast bowlers, will be in the starting team. His explanation:
“If Kuldeep plays at No. 8, India will have to go with three fast bowlers because considering the fog here, I am convinced a lot of dew could come. So I feel three fast bowlers and two spinners. A place might not created for Ravi Bishnoi and Washi.”
Aakash Chopra
It was claimed that there was not much dew on the Mohali pitch during India’s practice on Wednesday night. But with the temperatures so low, India could want to play three seamers since the ball might be difficult for the spinners to grasp.