Former Indian Test opener Aakash Chopra has slammed India’s tactics of resting Varun Chakravarthy in the last two games against New Zealand. As Chakravarthy plays only one format, Chopra wondered if the management would rest in-form Abhishek Sharma.

Chakravarthy is India’s first-choice spinner in T20Is but India has played Kuldeep Yadav and Ravi Bishnoi in the last two games against the Kiwis. The mystery spinner bagged three wickets in the first two games against the visitors.

Aakash Chopra said on ESPN Cricinfo, “It was not the right decision. In my opinion, he should have played. We forget very quickly that he also plays only one format. We don’t give a rest like that to batters. Would you rest Abhishek Sharma and play someone else? He is a first-choice player and in form as well. But, we don’t do that with batters, then why do we make bowlers sit out so easily? What workload management is needed for spinners?

Chakravarthy has scalped 58 wickets in 35 T20I matches at an average of 15.34 and an impressive economy rate of 7.09. The 34-year-old is the number one spinner in the ICC rankings and he would look to carry the good show in the upcoming T20 World Cup.

Meanwhile, India played with six batters and five bowlers in the fourth T20I against New Zealand. The hosts suffered a 50-run loss after they were bowled out for 165 while chasing 216 runs. Barring Shivam Dube, who scored 65 runs off 23 balls, none of the other Indian batters could show much resistance in the run-chase.

The fifth and final T20I between India and New Zealand will be played at Thiruvanthapuram on Saturday.