Indian commentator Aakash Chopra wants the selectors to consider replacing Axar Patel with Yuzvendra Chahal in India’s World Cup squad. The provisional 15-member Indian squad for the global event, to be played at home from October 5 to November 19, will be announced on Tuesday, September 5. Chahal is not a part of the 17-member Indian squad for the ongoing Asia Cup and may not be. Get involved in the selectors’ planning for the next World Cup.
In a video shared on his YouTube channel, Chopra admitted that players who are not part of the Asia Cup squad are unlikely to make it to India’s World Cup squad. However, he still feels that Yuzvendra Chahal should be included in the fray, saying:
“The 17 that are there, I am not assuming anyone to come from outside, although Yuzi Chahal and Shikhar Dhawan are not there. I feel Yuzi Chahal should be talked about but it’s not happening.”
The former Indian opener added:
“Why am I saying that he should be talked about? I love Axar to bits but Jadeja and Axar are similar kinds of left-arm spinners and similar kinds of batters as well, and you will have both of them playing together.”
Chahal has taken 121 wickets in 69 ODI innings at a reasonable economy rate of 5.26. However, he has not been at his best in recent times, with Kuldeep Yadav replacing him as India’s primary wrist spinner.
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“You Won’t Bowl 30 Overs Of Spin” – Aakash Chopra Explains Why He Wants Yuzvendra Chahal To Be Picked Ahead Of Akshar Patel
Aakash Chopra believes that India probably will not be able to play Ravindra Jadeja and Axar Patel together. he argued:
“If you keep both of them (Jadeja and Axar) together at No. 7 and No. 8 and Kuldeep Yadav at No. 9, will India go with three spinners? We also have to bear in mind that you have a 10-over powerplay at the start and you need death bowlers for the last 10 years. So you won’t bowl 30 overs of spin.”
The cricketer-turned-commentator said that if needed, Yuzvendra Chahal can play the role of a specialist spinner in place of Kuldeep Yadav. They said:
“Hardik Pandya is bowling. He bowled more than even Shardul Thakur in yesterday’s match, but in the end, I still feel you can think about Yuzi Chahal in place of Axar. Personally, I like specialists. So I was thinking Yuzi Chahal should come. If Kuldeep goes cold in one or two matches, you don’t have a bowler like him.”
On the other hand, Chopra does not think that Shikhar Dhawan’s selection will also be considered. He argued that India has no vacancy at the top even though both Shubman Gill and Rohit Sharma are performing well.
