Suryakumar Yadav’s management of his bowling resources in the third T20I between India and Australia has been called into question by Aakash Chopra.
In the Guwahati match on Tuesday, the Indian cricket team, were given the opportunity to bat first. They scored a massive 223 runs, setting a challenging target for the Australian team. In an exciting finish, the visitors successfully chased down the score on the final delivery with five wickets still remaining. This victory keeps the five-match series alive, with India currently leading 2-1.
In a video posted on his YouTube account, Aakash Chopra discussed the game and said that calculating errors may cost India the match. He elaborated:
“Axar Patel bowled the 19th over. Prasidh Krishna was extremely expensive but he bowled the 18th and 20th overs. India still did not use six bowlers. Prasidh Krishna went for 68 runs but you got him to bowl because you didn’t even try to use a sixth bowler.”
Aakash Chopra
The former India opener added:
“Axar was bowling extremely well but you held him back for the 19th over. Why did you hold him back – I have got no idea. Huge error in calculation because you did not use a sixth bowler, got a spinner to bowl the 19th over, and Prasidh Krishna to bowl the 18th and 20th overs, and you got hit a lot.”
Aakash Chopra
When Australia required 43 runs off the final two overs, India appeared to be on track to win. However, Axar Patel gave up 22 runs in the penultimate over before Prasidh Krishna gave up 23 runs in the last over, and the hosts lost despite setting a massive target.
“I am unable to understand at all that why no one is bowling him bouncers” – Aakash Chopra on Travis Head’s explosive start
In response to Australia’s batting, Aakash Chopra questioned India’s decision not to attack Travis Head with bouncers. He went on to say:
“It’s not easy to chase 223 but Travis Head again started hitting. I am unable to understand at all that why no one is bowling him bouncers. We are saying everywhere that he should be bowled bouncers but no one did that.”
Aakash Chopra
In Tuesday’s game, Chopra noticed that Aaron Hardie, who didn’t have the chance to bowl or bat in the series opener, had a lot more involvement. The respected commentator mentioned:
“Aaron Hardie came with him. It seemed like this match was organized for Aaron Hardie, that he can bowl four overs even if he is going to be hit a lot, and then open the batting as well. He got out and then Josh Inglis and Tim David also got out. Travis Head also eventually got out to a short ball.”
Aakash Chopra
Chopra lauded Glenn Maxwell for his powerful hit that propelled Australia over the finish line. He stated:
“After that, Maxi (Glenn Maxwell) came and started hitting – how well he bats. He scores runs on one leg or with one hand. We have seen this earlier as well and here also, he kept hitting sixes once he started doing that.”
Aakash Chopra
Glenn Maxwell scored an unbroken 104 off 48 deliveries, including eight fours and six sixes. He contributed 91 runs in an unbroken sixth-wicket stand with Matthew Wade (28* off 16) to help Australia claim their first series victory.