Former Indian Test opener Aakash Chopra has shed light on India’s batting collapse in the T20 World Cup 2026 clash against the USA at the Wankhede Stadium, Mumbai on Saturday. Indian batters could not read the pitch conditions and found themselves tottering at 77-6 after 12.4 overs.

Abhishek Sharma and Shivam Dube were dismissed for golden ducks whereas Rinku Singh and Hardik Pandya could not even reach double digits. Ishan Kishan (20) and Tilak Varma (25) got off to starts but could not convert them into substantial scores. 

India kept going hard despite losing wickets at regular intervals and many experts felt they should have adopted a sedate approach in the middle overs.

“Abhishek Sharma got out on his first ball. Ishan Kishan, Tilak Varma and Shivam Dube also got out, and it felt like we were gone. You were losing wickets one after the other, and when Hardik (Pandya) got out, my heart was palpitating. A little introspection will have to be done. When wickets fall like this, some player should be there to play cautiously,” Aakash Chopra said on his YouTube Channel.

Chopra questioned Hardik Pandya’s shot selection after the all-rounder was dismissed for five runs.

“I feel Hardik Pandya’s shot was not on at all. You had already pushed him down in the batting order, thinking that he is a clutch player who would be needed later. You cannot hit a six over cover when five or six wickets have already fallen and so many overs are left. I thought bad shot selection and, of course, not good execution,” he elaborated.

The renowned commentator also added that Rinku Singh played an uncalled shot after he was dismissed for six runs.

“The shot Rinku Singh played to get out, he should have taken the game deeper. There would be a slight realization for sure that there is a reason why no team has defended the trophy, won at home, or lifted the trophy thrice. World Cups are difficult. You cannot take anyone lightly,” Chopra observed.

India will next take on Namibia at the Arun Jaitley Stadium, Delhi on February 12.