Former Indian opener Aakash Chopra reckons the team should play Axar Patel and Yuzvendra Chahal in the team’s opening match against Pakistan in the T20 World Cup. Chopra believes Axar Patel will be the first-choice spinner in the team and feels there will be a toss-up between Chahal and Ashwin for the second spinner in the team.
Axar Patel has done a fine job since he replaced the injured Ravindra Jadeja in the team’s playing XI. However, Chahal has been a bit expensive while Ashwin has played a handful of matches.
The renowned commentator also added that India’s team management can think of playing Ravichandran Ashwin because of Shan Masood and Mohammad Nawaz – the two left-handers in the Pakistan line-up but backed Chahal to be included ahead of the veteran spinner.
“I feel you should play Axar. So the toss-up will be between Ashwin and Yuzi Chahal. Ashwin – two left-handers (Shan Masood and Mohammad Nawaz) – maybe you want to take that chance but when you think about the Melbourne ground on the 23rd evening, I feel you should play Chahal.”
Chopra feels Pakistan batters mostly get bamboozled by leg-spinners and Chahal has all the skills to deliver for his team.
“Pakistan traditionally gets slightly deceived by leg-spinners. I agree you will get left-handers in the middle but Yuzi Chahal dismisses left-handers, when has he not done that.”
While Yuzvendra Chahal and Ravichandran Ashwin had bowled against Australia in the warm-up match, Axar Patel didn’t even bowl a single over.
Commenting on the same, Chopra said, “The big question is that you didn’t give to Axar Patel. What was your thinking? Is it that he is not playing at all or he is playing 100 percent and you are thinking who will play between Ashwin and Chahal.”
Former Delhi player believes India’s batting will become weak if they play Ravichandran Ashwin ahead of Axar Patel.
“Who will bat at No. 7 if Axar doesn’t play? If you are going to play Ravichandran Ashwin at No. 7, I will say your batting has become extremely weak. You will have Dinesh Karthik at No. 6 and Ravichandran Ashwin at No. 7. Personally, I do not like it.”
India will take on Pakistan on Sunday at the MCG.
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