Former India opener turned veteran commentator Aakash Chopra opened up about how Axar Patel wasn’t given a single over during India’s warm-up game against Australia in Brisbane on Monday, October 17.
He shared that it seems that captain Rohit Sharma might go ahead with Ravichandran Ashwin and Yuzvendra Chahal as the two spin bowling options at the T20 World Cup 2022.
He, however, shared that India might not have an additional batter at No. 7 if Axar Patel doesn’t play in the games. Speaking on his YouTube channel, Chopra said:
“Axar Patel didn’t bowl a single over in this game. Does this indicate that Rohit is thinking of playing with both Yuzvendra Chahal and Ravichandran Ashwin and that Axar Patel will have to sit out? But if that happens, who will bat at No.7?”
Notably, Axar Patel batted at No. 7 against Australia and he remained unbeaten on six runs off as many deliveries. However, many were surprised with Axar not bowling in the warm-up match against Australia.
The all-rounder has already showcased a lot of skill form this year, contributing well with both bat and ball in the absence of the veteran all-rounder Ravindra Jadeja. However, Team India did well with the bat against Australia with openers Rohit and KL Rahul adding together an important 78-run partnership.
WE ARE #TeamIndia#T20WorldCup pic.twitter.com/BCxvqK60ni
— BCCI (@BCCI) October 18, 2022
“Rahul was taking the bowlers to the cleaners” – Aakash Chopra praises India’s vice-captain
Chopra also mentioned how Rohit Sharma didn’t get enough strikes and was at the non-striker’s end as well. The cricketer-turned-commentator applauded Rahul for his dominating show in the match against the Australian bowling attack.
“It looked like the match was between KL Rahul and Australia because Rohit Sharma was at the crease, but was stuck at the non-striker’s end. He was watching from the other end how Rahul was taking the bowlers to the cleaners,” he explained.
The veteran also added that KL Rahul will enjoy a lot of success on the pace-friendly Australian wickets, as he is skilled enough. He added that the batter showed the same in the warm-up match, scoring a brilliant half-century.
“KL Rahul was sensational today and played beautifully. On these fast Australian pitches, where there is some sideways movement as well, a technically compact batter will thrive. Rahul showed that today. When he bats in this fashion, it seems as if he is on another level,” Chopra added.
“We were all surprised by that” – Aakash Chopra on Mohammed Shami bowling only the last over
#mdshami11 #TeamIndia pic.twitter.com/u5hX2MhxjU
— Mohammad Shami (@MdShami11) October 18, 2022
Meanwhile, Aakash Chopra was surprised by captain Rohit Sharma’s decision not to give veteran speedster Mohammed Shami more over in the warm-up match against Australia on Monday, October 17 as well.
“Mohammed Shami got just six deliveries. That’s all you allowed him to bowl. We were all surprised by that. Warm-up matches are generally used to try different things and give chances to your players,” Aakash Chopra continued.
“We were all hoping that Shami would get an over, but the skipper didn’t do that. It looked as if India wouldn’t be able to win the game when Australia needed 11 off six balls.”But then, Shami came and bowled yorkers after yorkers. He bowled just one short ball, the rest were all yorkers,” he added further.
However, Australia had the upper hand to win the game at the Gabba, needing just 11 runs off the final over. However, Shami conceded just four runs while bagging three wickets, helping India win by six runs.
Notably, Harshal Patel did well in the 19th over and Chopra stated that while the bowler gave away runs in his first two overs, he did well by dismissing the well-set Aaron Finch while conceding just five runs in the penultimate over as well.
“Harshal Patel was expensive in his first two overs. However, he was able to pick up the crucial wicket of Aaron Finch in his third over. When the slower one hits the fuller length and there’s a dip, that’s when you know that Harshal is in solid form. He is back in form,” Aakash Chopra concluded.
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