Aakash Chopra says time for experiment is over after T20I series against Australia

Former Indian Test opener Aakash Chopra believes India’s team management should now stop experimenting with their playing combination after the T20I series against Australia. With only 10 T20Is to be played before the T20 World Cup next year, Chopra said India should lock players and their respective roles.

In the five-match T20I series, Sanju Samson was dropped in the last two games as Jitesh Sharma got his chance. Furthermore, Arshdeep Singh deservedly got his chance in the last three games after he was benched in the first two matches.

Moreover, Gautam Gambhir’s think think continued shuffling the batting order against Australia.

“It’s been a phase of experiments. I hope these experiments stop. They said they can send anyone up or down the order, play or drop anyone, and that they are in an experimental phase. When the team openly admits that, you agree that they can experiment,” Chopra said on his YouTube Channel.

“However, now you have a five-match series against South Africa at home and a five-match series against New Zealand at home, and I think the time for experiment is over. I think we are done. You cannot experiment much after this, and you shouldn’t, because the World Cup will start in February,” he added.

The renowned commentator highlighted that India should not get complacent and winning a home World Cup is not easy.

“We are the defending World Cup champions, and we have flown our victorious flag wherever we have gone since the 2024 World Cup, but let’s not be complacent, and let’s not take anything for granted, because it’s very difficult to win a home World Cup,” he said.

The former Delhi cricketer said India should field their best final XI in every game before the T20I showpiece.

“It seems like you have an advantage because it’s a home World Cup, but there is pressure along with that. It’s a tough one. So all experiments should be stopped now, that we will play the team that is closest to our playing XI,” Chopra observed.

India’s next T20I assignment is a five-match series against South Africa at home.