Former Indian Test opener Aakash Chopra has picked India’s probable playing XI for the opening T20I against Zimbabwe. Chopra said there shouldn’t be many changes to the batting line-up whereas the bowling battery can be picked in two ways.
The renowned commentator said there will be a temptation to select Prabhsimran Singh as he has picked in the squad after a long time but added that the PBKS wicket-keeper bat should not play ahead of Vaibhav Sooryavanshi.
“There will be multiple aspects in that, whether you go with the short-term thought process or the long-term goal. Don’t touch the batting order at all. There can be only one temptation, and that is to give a chance to Prabhsimran Singh since you have selected him after such a long time,” Aakash Chopra said on his YouTube Channel.
“You want to entertain that thought, but not at the cost of Vaibhav Suryavanshi. The batting order is extremely straightforward. I will open with both left-handers – Vaibhav Suryavanshi and Abhishek Sharma. Of course, Vaibhav’s first three innings didn’t go well, but you should give him all three innings here and allow him to play with a lot of freedom,” he elaborated.
Chopra backed Ishan Kishan, Shreyas Iyer, Tilak Varma and Shivam Dube to bat at number three, four, five and six respectively.
“Ishan Kishan at No. 3, captain Shreyas Iyer at No. 4, followed by Tilak Varma and Shivam Dube. That makes it your top six. Shreyas Iyer playing well and making the team win is very, very important,” Chopra observed.
The renowned commentator reckons if there is help for the fast bowlers, then India can play Suryansh Shedge otherwise they can play Harsh Dubey.
“Who will you play at No. 7 and No. 8? You do not have the all-rounders anymore. Dube is one of your all-rounders. If there is even slight help for the fast bowlers on the pitch, you will have the option to play Suryansh Shedge at No. 7. If you don’t do that, you will have to go with Harsh Dubey. He bowls decent left-arm spin and bats a little along with that,” he said.
Chopra reckons if India decides to play both Dubey and Shedge, then they should pick Mayank Yadav and Prince Yadav as the two fast bowlers.
“Both of them can also be there at No. 7 and No. 8. I am seeing the return of Mayank Yadav. Since he has become fit and returned, this series is very important for Mayank Yadav. Along with him, Prince Yadav, because he has already been a part of the Indian team,” Chopra observed.
The reputed commentator added India can pick either Yash Thakur or Ashok Sharma as the third seamer if Shedge isn’t picked.
“If you play Suryansh Shedge, Ravi Bishnoi could be your 11th player. If you play Harsh at No. 7 and Ravi at No. 8, you will have a place left for a fast bowler, where you can choose either Yash Thakur or Ashok Sharma. Yash Thakur has done a little more in First-class cricket. So you might go towards him, but if you have to unleash raw pace, then go with Ashok Sharma,” Chopra elaborated.
Aakash Chopra’s playing XI for 1st T20I against Zimbabwe: Abhishek Sharma, Vaibhav Sooryavanshi, Ishan Kishan, Shreyas Iyer, Tilak Varma, Shivam Dube, Harsh Dubey, Mayank Yadav, Prince Yadav, Ravi Bishnoi, Yash Thakur/Ashok Sharma/Suryansh Shedge.
