ZIM vs IND 2022: “Why did you select him at all?” – Aakash Chopra on Rahul Tripathi not getting to play in 3rd ODI

Former Indian opener Aakash Chopra questioned why Rahul Tripathi’s selection in the squad when he didn’t get a chance in the three-match ODI series against Zimbabwe. India had already taken an impregnable lead of 2-0 in the series and they could have given a debut cap to Rahul Tripathi.

In fact, Tripathi was also included in the two-match T20I series squad against Ireland but he didn’t get a chance to make his debut. The 31-year-old from Ranchi scored 413 runs in 14 matches at an average of 37.5 and an impressive strike rate of 158.23 in IPL 2022 while playing for SunRisers Hyderabad.

Tripathi has impressed with his consistent performances in the IPL and thus he was able to get a maiden call-up to the national squad.

Aakash Chopra said while talking on his YouTube Channel, “The people who were interested in this game said that you should play Ruturaj Gaikwad and Rahul Tripathi, give chances to everyone, but nothing like that happened. The question comes that you selected Rahul Tripathi but you are not giving him opportunities. Then why did you select him at all?”

On the other hand, Ruturaj Gaikwad also didn’t get his chances against Zimbabwe. Gaikwad had played against South Africa in the five-match T20I series at home but since then he hasn’t been included in the final XI.

“You are not even able to play him in a dead rubber. Same is the story of Ruturaj Gaikwad. You kept the batting order as it is – Rahul and Shikhar Dhawan were only opening, [Shubman] Gill and Ishan Kishan, Sanju Samson and Deepak Hooda.”

Meanwhile, Aakash Chopra was happy with KL Rahul’s decision to bat first in the third ODI. Rahul had decided to bowl first in the first two matches. Chopra feels the team was challenged after they decided to bat first.

“You decided to bat first after winning the toss, which doesn’t mean you will lose the match. The match went close for sure but you still won. You would have won more easily if you had batted slightly better. But you were not doing that till now, while we could understand why, at least you challenged yourself.”

“Challenging yourselves is in your hands because this encounter requires internal motivation, you won’t get anything from outside, the opposition is not challenging you that much, so you find ways of challenging yourselves.”

India will now take part in the Asia Cup, which will begin on 27th August in the UAE.