Former Indian Test opener Aakash Chopra believes India would want a seam bowler at number eight who can also contribute with the bat in the ODI World Cup 2027. Chopra reckons Anshul Kamboj is ahead of Auqib Nabi Dar if Harshit Rana isn’t available.
Rana has been troubled by injury woes in the recent past and Dar as well as Kamboj made their respective ODI debuts in the series against the West Indies.
Debutant Anshul Kamboj conceded 82 runs in nine overs he bowled in the third ODI whereas Auqib Nabi Dar was taken for 84 runs in 8.5 overs he bowled on his debut in the second game.
However, Kamboj did score a little cameo of 17 runs off nine balls, including two sixes whereas Dar didn’t get a chance to bat.
“You have used three bowlers who can provide you with batting at No. 8. You have taken an oath that you need a batter at No. 8, and I do agree. If we look at it from that perspective, Harshit Rana is the frontrunner. He is slightly expensive at times, but he is a wicket-taker. I am putting a stamp in Harshit Rana’s favor,” Chopra said on his YouTube Channel.
“However, his issue is the same as Hardik’s. He is having big layoffs. So, who then? It’s a struggle. Two names, because only two have been used. One is Anshul Kamboj, and the other is Auqib Nabi. The sample size is a match apiece, but when you see the way they bowl, Anshul Kamboj is slightly ahead. Anshul Kamboj has a bit more from an ODI cricket perspective,” he added.
Chopra said the selection of star bowlers like Jasprit Bumrah, Kuldeep Yadav and Arshdeep Singh is no-brainer for the team.
“Jasprit Bumrah, Arshdeep Singh, and Kuldeep Yadav are no-brainers. Don’t talk about them at all. They should be part of your team. Put Prasidh Krishna in that list. You still have questions to answer. If you keep Nitish Kumar Reddy, you won’t be able to look toward Washington Sundar,” he said.
The former Delhi cricketer reckons Gurnoor Brar and Mohammed Siraj could compete for a spot in the squad.
“There could be a call between a fifth pacer and Washington Sundar, or else an extra batter. When I look toward the fifth pacer, I feel Gurnoor Brar is slightly ahead at the moment, or is he, because he shouldn’t be. I feel Siraj should be standing with him,” Chopra observed.
India’s next ODI is against New Zealand.
