Former Indian Test opener Aakash Chopra questioned Kolkata Knight Riders’ decision of batting first against Punjab Kings at Eden Gardens, Kolkata on Monday. Chopra highlighted that KKR’s bowling, which is already weak, had become even weaker after Varun Chakravarthy and Sunil Narine didn’t play.

KKR included West Indies hard-hitter Rovman Powell and fast bowler Navdeep Saini into their playing XI. The home team was reduced to 25-2 after 3.4 overs as rain played killjoy and both teams shared a point each.

“KKR didn’t have two big players in this match. Sunil Narine and Varun Chakaravarthy weren’t there. You know there are problems. The bowling has become weak. What should you have done after winning the toss? You should have obviously bowled first because your batting had become strong,” Chopra said on his YouTube Channel.

“You played Rovman Powell as well. You had gone with an extra batter. You had given a chance to Navdeep Saini. The bowling was already weak, and it had become weaker. So you should have bowled first, but you batted. What was the logic to bat first?” he added.

Chopra wondered why Ajinkya Rahane decided to set a target when rain was forecasted and the team batting second always gets the advantage in a truncated match.

“Secondly, if the conditions are overcast and there are chances of rain, who does the DLS favor? The team that bats second. Everyone knows that if the match gets shorter, the one who bats later benefits. KKR, you had won the toss. Google was telling that there was a 50 percent chance of rain. Why did you bat first after winning the toss?” he observed.

The renowned commentator questioned KKR’s team selection after they didn’t pick spinners in their playing XI, barring Anukul Roy.

“You said it’s a dry pitch, and there would be a lot of help for spinners eventually, and that’s why you wanted to bat first. Then you played Navdeep Saini. Why didn’t you play spinners? There were only three proper bowlers and Anukul Roy in that team. Only one spinner was there,” he said.

Chopra said KKR could have played either Prashant Solanki or Daksh Kamra.

“You could have played one more spinner. Why was Daksh Kamra sitting out? You have selected him, but you didn’t play him. Prashant Solanki is also in your team. You didn’t play him as well. Why? In my opinion, Kolkata got out of jail,” Chopra observed.

KKR will next take on LSG at Eden Gardens, Kolkata on Thursday.