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Former Indian cricketer Aakash Chopra expressed his views on India’s squad selection for the upcoming five-match T20I series against Zimbabwe next month. Chopra raised concerns over the omission of spinners Yuzvendra Chahal and Varun Chakaravarthy, especially considering the absence of key players from the squad.
The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) revealed a 15-member squad for the imminent series in Zimbabwe. Shubman Gill has been appointed captain of the national team for the first time. Yashasvi Jaiswal and Sanju Samson are the lone survivors from the T20 World Cup 2024 squad selected for the Zimbabwe tour.
Washington Sundar and Ravi Bishnoi are the sole spinners named in the squad. Although Yuzvendra Chahal featured in the T20 World Cup 2024 lineup, he was omitted for the Zimbabwe tour. Varun Chakaravarthy, despite showcasing impressive performances in the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2024, also found himself overlooked by the selectors.
Aakash Chopra says Interestingly Yuzvendra Chahal Is Not There
Aakash Chopra, in a video posted on his YouTube channel, pointed out the selectors’ choice to include just two spinners, omitting Yuzvendra Chahal and Varun Chakaravarthy. Chopra noted that Chakaravarthy voiced his disappointment at being left out despite his impressive showing in the IPL.
“It’s clear that guys who haven’t got a chance to play in the World Cup are there here. However, interestingly, Yuzi Chahal is not there. Yashasvi Jaiswal, who is in the team, is there, and Rinku Singh and Khaleel Ahmed, who are in the reserves, are there, but Yuzi Chahal is not there,” Chopra said.
“Interestingly, they have kept only two spinners. Neither Yuzi Chahal nor Varun Chakaravarthy is there. Varun Chakaravarthy had a very good IPL. He has even put an Instagram story – ‘I wish I had a paid PR agency’. That hurts. You see a lot of upside for Washington Sundar but he is stuck in the wrong franchise. Ravi Bishnoi is a part of this team,” he added.
Harshith Rana, the fast bowler from Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR), was overlooked for inclusion in the secondary squad. Rana played a pivotal role in KKR’s triumph in the IPL 2024, demonstrating his versatility with 19 wickets at an economy rate of 8.49 throughout the tournament.
Riyan Parag Has Also Been Rewarded says Aakash Chopra
Aakash Chopra, now a commentator, remarked on India potentially encountering a selection challenge due to having four openers in the squad. He raised doubts about integrating wicketkeeper-batters Sanju Samson and Dhruv Jurel into the starting lineup. Chopra expressed approval for the inclusion of Nitish Kumar Reddy and Riyan Parag in the squad.
“You have to give a place to Rinku Singh. You have Nitish Reddy, who can give a little fast bowling and batting, as a good shadow option for Hardik Pandya. Again rewarded for his phenomenal IPL performance. Riyan Parag has also been rewarded,” Chopra further stated.
The opening T20I encounter between India and Zimbabwe is set to take place at Harare Sports Club in Harare on Saturday, July 6. Subsequently, the following four matches of the series are slated to be held at the same venue from July 7 to July 14.
