Cricket

Aakash Chopra questions selection of 5 spinners in India’s Champions Trophy squad, wants Kuldeep Yadav to play ahead of Varun Chakravarthy

Former Indian Test opener Aakash Chopra feels the Ajit Agarkar-led selection have made the wrong call of picking five spinners for the Champions Trophy. In the final Champions Trophy squad, Varun Chakravarthy was added in place of Yashasvi Jaiswal.

Chopra also noted that Mohammed Siraj is unlucky to miss out on the Champions Trophy squad. The renowned commentator wants Kuldeep Yadav to play ahead of Varun Chakravarthy in the upcoming eight-team tournament.

Chakravarthy was added to India’s Champions Trophy squad after he impressed in the five T20Is against England, picking 14 wickets at an average of 9.86 and thus bagged Player of the Series award. However, Chakravarthy was left out of the third ODI against England due to injury.

India have picked Axar Patel, Washington Sundar, Ravindra Jadeja, Kuldeep Yadav and Varun Chakravarthy in the CT squad.

“They have included Varun, but who went out – Yashasvi Jaiswal. After doing that, we now have five spinners. Why do you need so many spinners? I felt the Indian team might drop Yashasvi but would keep a fast bowler for him and Varun in place of Washington Sundar. The danger I see in this is that you might play Varun ahead of Kuldeep,” Aakash Chopra said on his YouTube Channel.

“I have this bad feeling because you haven’t compromised your all-rounder. If you had kept only Jaddu (Ravindra Jadeja) and Axar (Patel) in the team and not kept Washi, then we might have felt that they are okay with it even if we don’t have batting at No. 8. Right now it seems, no matter what happens, we need a batter at No. 8,” Chopra added.

Meanwhile, Jasprit Bumrah was replaced by Harshit Rana in the Champions Trophy squad. However, Chopra highlighted that it is impossible to replace the gun fast bowler.

“When Bumrah goes out, you don’t have one but two changes. It’s impossible to replace Bumrah, but you still try. So you either strengthen your fast bowling or add a wrist spinner to your spin department. To be fair, the Indian selectors were trying to do something like that only,” he said.

The renowned commentator noted that Rana will not be able to fill in the big shoes of Jasprit Bumrah.

“They included Harshit Rana in the team for the first two ODIs against England and then he played the third match as well. So Harshit Rana was being prepared. However, he is not a like-for-like replacement because there is no one like Bumrah,” Chopra observed.

India will kick off their Champions Trophy campaign against Bangladesh at the Dubai International Cricket Stadium, Dubai on February 20.

About the Author


Written by DafaNews

DafaNews brings you the most highlighted news in the world of Sports. It serves you up-to-date matches, scores, live streams, fantasy games and quizzes. Our news covers India's prestigious leagues and events – Premier League, Pro Kabbadi League, Cricket World Cup and many more. Follow DafaNews on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter,Telegram and Youtube for more updates.

Related Post
Share
Published by
DafaNews

Recent Posts

Harbhajan Singh suggests India’s playing 11 changes after ENG vs IND 2025 1st Test

Former Indian off-spinner Harbhajan Singh has backed Kuldeep Yadav’s selection in the second Test match… Read More

June 25, 2025

Sunil Gavaskar suggests India’s playing 11 changes after loss in ENG vs IND 2025 1st Test, backs Kuldeep Yadav to replace Shardul Thakur

Legendary Sunil Gavaskar wants Kuldeep Yadav to be included in the second Test playing XI… Read More

June 25, 2025

Navjot Singh Sidhu backs Arshdeep Singh and Kuldeep Yadav for 2nd Test against England

Former Indian opener Navjot Singh Sidhu believes India should make changes to their bowling line-up… Read More

June 25, 2025

Tyrese Haliburton on playing with calf strain: ‘I’d do it again’

Indiana Pacers talisman Tyrese Haliburton has no regrets on playing with calf strain in the… Read More

June 25, 2025

Luka Modric agrees to sign for AC Milan after Club World Cup

Croatian veteran midfielder Luka Madrid has agreed to sign with Italian giants AC Milan after… Read More

June 25, 2025

Andy Roddick says beating Roger Federer in the 2008 Wimbledon final launched Rafael Nadal into an all-time great

Former World No.1 Andy Roddick said beating Roger Federer in the 2008 Wimbledon final catapulted… Read More

June 25, 2025