Aakash Chopra is puzzled by Ravi Bishnoi’s exclusion from the Indian team in the second T20I against South Africa. He pointed out, Ravi Bishnoi is the premier T20I bowler currently.
The Men in Blue decided to start Kuldeep Yadav as the lone wrist-spinner in the second game of the three-match series on Tuesday in Gqeberha rather than Bishnoi. Through three overs, the left-arm wrist-spinner amassed statistics of 1/26, but the visitors lost the match by five wickets using the DLS system.
Chopra was confused by the Indian team management’s choice to leave out Bishnoi and Shreyas Iyer when assessing the match in a video posted on his YouTube channel. He elaborated:
“I am still unable to understand the team selection. Shreyas Iyer didn’t play and you would be thinking why he didn’t play as he was the vice-captain in the last match. He scored a fifty as well against Australia and he didn’t play in this match.”
Aakash Chopra
The former India opener added:
“No one told why he didn’t play. Along with him, Ravi Bishnoi – he was the Player of the Series of the last series. He is currently No. 1 in the ICC T20I rankings but he too didn’t play.”
Aakash Chopra
In Tuesday’s game, Tilak Varma started ahead of Iyer. In India’s total of 180/7 in 19.3 overs, the southpaw scored 29 off 20 balls.
Aakash Chopra puzzled by Tilak Varma’s inclusion ahead of Shreyas Iyer
Aakash Chopra questioned whether Tilak Varma was chosen over Shreyas Iyer because of his ability to turn his arm around and bowl in a rain-shortened game. He stated:
“Ruturaj Gaikwad didn’t play because he was unwell, but you started wondering what was the plan, that Tilak Varma was at No. 3 and Shreyas Iyer wasn’t. Was Tilak there as he could bowl? But did he bowl? Did he not bowl because the match was shortened due to rain?”
Aakash Chopra
The cricketer-turned-commentator underlined his confusion about the team pick. He stated:
“You still didn’t have a batter at No. 8. The selection was slightly baffling because there was no explanation. Someone will explain at some stage and then I will correct myself. However, at this point in time, I am slightly confused. At least tell what exactly is happening.”
Aakash Chopra
Chopra said that Deepak Chahar’s absence may have cost India a bowler capable of wielding the willow effectively at No. 8. However, he questioned why Shardul Thakur couldn’t have been selected to the team in such a situation, given that he was part of the ODI World Cup squad to play a similar position and didn’t play many matches.
