Former Indian Test opener Aakash Chopra feels Washington Sundar and Yashasvi Jaiswal could be dropped from India’s Champions Trophy squad. While Sundar hasn’t played in the first two matches against England, Jaiswal made his ODI debut in the opening game but could only manage 15 runs.
India has backed Axar Patel, Ravindra Jadeja, Kuldeep Yadav and Varun Chakravarthy in the first two games. Meanwhile, India has picked Axar Patel, Ravindra Jadeja, Kuldeep Yadav, and Washington Sundar as the four spinners for the Champions Trophy.
Chopra noted that Sundar might not play against Pakistan and Bangladesh but he could be in contention for the clash against New Zealand.
“There are two options available. One is to leave out Washington Sundar because you haven’t played him here (first two ODIs against England) as well. I don’t think Washi is in your scheme of things. He will not be part of your thinking for the whole of February,” Aakash Chopra said on his YouTube Channel.
“Pakistan don’t have that many left-handers. You won’t think that hard about Bangladesh – lefties are okay. You might think about him against New Zealand because they have Devon Conway, Rachin Ravindra and Tom Latham, and Mitchell Santner later, but that’s on the 2nd of March,” Chopra elaborated.
With Rohit Sharma, Shubman Gill, and Shreyas Iyer scoring runs in the first two matches against England, Chopra highlighted that India’s batting order is looking settled and thus Yashasvi Jaiswal could be left out.
“Our batting order is looking set now. Rohit Sharma has scored runs. Shubman Gill is our vice-captain and is in incredible form. After that, Virat Kohli is at No. 3. He will come in form and, God forbid, if he doesn’t, we won’t drop him. Shreyas Iyer is at No. 4 and whether you keep KL Rahul, Rishabh Pant or anyone else at No. 5, you have an extra batter as either Rahul or Pant would be sitting out,” he said.
Chopra feels Mohammed Siraj could be added to India’s squad for the Champions Trophy.
“You might not need Yashasvi. You want to do left-right but won’t be able to do it now. You have played your hand and that hand has backfired. So why are you taking him if you are not going to play him? I see brighter chances of Mohammed Siraj playing than him. I don’t see Yashasvi playing in any of the matches,” Chopra observed.
The final and third ODI between India and England will be played at the Narendra Modi Stadium, Ahmedabad on Wednesday.
