Former Indian Test opener Aakash Chopra has picked India’s playing XI for the third ODI against Afghanistan. Chopra rested Arshdeep Singh, who had bagged 3-45 in the nine overs he bowled in the previous game against the visitors.
The renowned commentator believes Singh should make way for Nitish Kumar Reddy if the all-rounder has recovered from his quad injury. India has already sealed the series as they have taken an unassailable lead of 2-0 after winning the previous game by 170 runs.
Chopra wants India to keep backing Yashasvi Jaiswal, who was dismissed cheaply after scoring four runs in the last match.
“Yashasvi has played only one match. So let him play. Bite the bullet and say that we want to play Nitish Kumar Reddy if he is fit, so we will play like this only. Make Arshdeep Singh sit out and play Nitish Kumar Reddy. Say that you won’t make Yashasvi sit out because I have got no idea when he would get a chance to play again,” Aakash Chopra said on his YouTube Channel.
Chopra revealed that Ishan Kishan and Yashasvi Jaiswal might not get their chances once Virat Kohli returns to the squad.
“As soon as Kohli returns, there won’t be a place for Ishan. So, if Ishan Kishan, who scored a hundred just now and scored runs in the first match as well, will be sitting outside, Yashasvi has no chance at all. In such a scenario, you want him to get one more chance,” he observed.
The reputed Hindi commentator picked Kuldeep Yadav, Gurnoor Brar and Prince Yadav as specialist bowlers.
“Open with Rohit and Jaiswal, Shubman Gill at No. 3, Ishan at No. 4, Shreyas Iyer at No. 5, KL Rahul at No. 6, Nitish Kumar Reddy at No. 7, Washington Sundar at No. 8, Kuldeep Yadav at No. 9, and then followed by the two young fast bowlers – Gurnoor Brar and Prince Yadav. That would be my team,” Chopra stated.
Aakash Chopra’s playing XI for 3rd ODI against Afghanistan: Rohit Sharma, Yashasvi Jaiswal, Shubman Gill, Ishan Kishan, Shreyas Iyer, KL Rahul, Nitish Kumar Reddy, Washington Sundar, Kuldeep Yadav, Gurnoor Brar, Prince Yadav.
Harshit Rana is also added to India’s squad for the third ODI.
