The two matches T20I series is going to get underway on the 26th of June, Sunday. The Men in blues will start their campaign under captain Hardik Pandya as Rishabh Pant and Shreyas Iyer already left for England series. Former Indian cricketer Akash Chopra picked his playing XI for the 1st T20I.
He has named Ruturaj Gaikwad and Ishan Kishan as his openers. He elaborated his choice as he thinks Ruturaj will get a final chance in the Ireland series as he failed in the South Africa series. For the other opener, he said Ishan Kishan has performed brilliantly which makes his chance a little more in England.
For number three position he has pointed three choices among Surya Kumar Yadav, Sanju Samson, and Deepak Hooda. But he wants to go with Surya Kumar Yadav as he will be in the main team for T20 WC. Chopra picked him for number three instead of four.
He wants Deepak Hooda to get a chance at number four as there is a pecking order and according to him, it would be unfair if Sanju Samson or Rahul Tripathi play ahead of him. For the finisher slot, there is Hardik Pandya and wicketkeeper Dinesh Karthik as both are in sublime touch.
But the 44-year cricket analyst makes an interesting choice in the all-rounder category as he has chosen Venkatesh Iyer instead of Axar Patel. He elaborated that it seems quite absurd that Ireland might play seam bowling well still he chooses Iyer and as the reason, he said that in Ireland’s conditions Axar wouldn’t get much spin. So If Hardik Pandya can bowl more overs, then Iyer can also bowl a few overs for the team. The performance of Axar in the South Africa series was not also quite up to the mark. That also plays an important role here.
But Akash Chopra didn’t make any difference while choosing the bowlers from the South Africa home T20I series. He explained that Yuzi Chahal would be his only leg spinner along with Deepak Hooda’s off-spin.
As the pacers category, he has chosen Bhuvneswar Kumar and Harshal Patel. He is happy with any of Avesh Khan or Arshdeep Singh. The left-handed pacer is yet to make a debut in International Cricket.
This means Umran Malik is yet to get a chance in International Cricket if the team is chosen according to Akash Chopra’s team. The young bowler has already left his mark in IPL with his speed. His fans want him to get the jersey of the team as soon as possible.
Indian fans are hoping some more possibilities of players will emerge for the main aim of T20 WC. As head coach Rahul Dravid and Head Coach want to pick the core of the team for ‘Mission Melbourne as soon as possible, likely before Asia Cup. Now all eyes will be on India vs Ireland’s 1st T20I. The stage is set and the countdown has already started.
Akash Chopras’ Playing XI: Ruturaj Gaikwad, Ishan Kishan, Surya Kumar Yadav, Deepak Hooda, Hardik Pandya ( C ), Dinesh Karthik ( WK ), Venkatesh Iyer, Bhuvneswar Kumar, Harshal Patel, Yuzvendra Chahal, Avesh Khan.
