Former Indian Test opener Aakash Chopra questioned India’s selection in the third T20I against England at the Niranjan Shah Stadium, Rajkot on Tuesday. The reputed commentator questioned Washington Sundar and Dhruv Jurel’s role in the team.
India suffered a 26-run loss as they could not chase down 172. The hosts could not come up with a collective batting show and it led to their downfall.
Meanwhile, Dhruv Jurel came out to bat at number eight and he joined forces with Hardik Pandya when the game was almost done and dusted.
Furthermore, Sundar once again bowled a solitary over, in which he leaked 15 runs. Sundar had also bowled a single over in the second T20I, in which he had conceded nine runs but took a wicket.
“I have got a question. Are we playing the right team? What is Washington’s role in this team? Why do you need to play Dhruv Jurel if you are neither going to get him to keep, of course, nor bat him in the top seven? He came to bat at No. 8. Aren’t you surprised?” Aakash Chopra said on his YouTube Channel.
The renowned commentator questioned if India should have played an extra bowler as Jurel was not given his chance with the bat.
“If Dhruv Jurel is going to bat so low, that’s not right. How can you play DJ at No. 8? He doesn’t keep because Sanju (Samson) does that. He fields well and takes good catches, but he is not playing as a fielder. If you are sending Dhruv Jurel at No. 8, might as well play a bowler,” he elaborated.
Meanwhile, Mohammed Shami replaced Arshdeep Singh in the playing XI as India continued their strategy of playing only one specialist seamer.
“I don’t think we are selecting the right team. Arshdeep Singh was playing earlier and Hardik Pandya was there with him. Then Mohammed Shami played and Hardik was there with him too. It’s not that this team doesn’t have any other fast bowlers, but you don’t want to play any fast bowler,” he said.
Chopra questioned why Washington Sundar was given a single over when India played four spinners in the team.
“You are saying you want four spinners. Let me agree that you need four spinners, but are you bowling 16 overs of spin? You don’t do that as well. You got Washington to bowl only one over. You cannot play someone for one over. It is bizarre,” Chopra observed.
The fourth T20I between India and England will take place at the Maharashtra Cricket Association Stadium, Pune on Friday.
