Former Indian Test opener Aakash Chopra reckons the team should play Mohammed Shami ahead of Shardul Thakur in the high-octane clash against Pakistan. India backed Shardul Thakur ahead of Mohammed Shami against Afghanistan at the Arun Jaitley Stadium, Delhi on Wednesday.

Thakur, replacing Ravichandran Ashwin in the final XI, returned with 1-31 in the six overs he bowled against Afghanistan and got the crucial wicket of Rahmat Shah. In fact, India’s team management has spoken time and again about their batting depth, and thus Thakur was preferred ahead of Shami.

However, Mohammed Shami had recently scalped a five-wicket haul in the opening game against Australia in the three-match ODI series. Shami is well known for his upright seam position and he can definitely add more teeth to India’s bowling line-up.

“There is always a discussion about whether Shardul Thakur or Mohammed Shami should be played. The team went towards Shardul. We had discussed as well that I want Shami but the team will play Shardul because they will get batting at No. 8 from him.”

The former Indian opener added: “I was saying the No. 8 won’t get to bat. If your No. 8 gets to bat against Afghanistan, then leave it, let it go. Someone else can play those big shots and if they don’t, you will lose and then you can say – ‘well played’. The batting was not going to come. I feel you should play Shami against Pakistan as well.”

The renowned commentator added that Thakur is not known for his pyrotechnics with the bat and can score at only run-a-ball.

“Shardul is also a run-a-ball player at the position he bats. It’s not that he will score 45 runs off 20 balls. He is not that sort of a player. He doesn’t play like that. The team wants a little batting depth at No. 8, a bit of insurance and assurance and that is why Shardul is there but I feel Mohammed Shami should be there.”

India will play their next match against arch-rivals Pakistan at the Narendra Modi Stadium, Ahmedabad on Saturday.