Former India cricketer Aakash Chopra wants Team India to play Rishabh Pant ahead of Dinesh Karthik in the playing XI for the Asia Cup 2022 match against Hong Kong on Wednesday, August 31 at the Dubai International Cricket Stadium. He expressed that it is a “grave injustice” to Dinesh Karthik to be slotted lower down the batting order.
Team India benched Rishabh Pant and included Dinesh Karthik for their opening clash against Pakistan. However, Karthik could not get a lot of time in the middle, as he came out to bat at number seven. He faced just one delivery in the innings before Hardik Pandya finished off the match with a six.
In a video on his Youtube channel, Aakash Chopra previewed upcoming India vs Hong Kong match. He expressed that India should go ahead with Rishabh Pant, as batting at number 7 is a grave injustice to Dinesh Karthik. Aakash Chopra said,
“Can there be any changes done in this match? I feel there is one change that should but will not happen. If you have to play Jaddu (Jadeja) at No. 4 and you need a left-hander at No. 4 for sure, if you can’t do without that, then play Rishabh Pant because, at No. 7, you are doing a grave injustice to Dinesh Karthik also.”
“What is the gain from batting there? A specialist does not play at No. 7, but I feel that is not going to happen. India is going to go with the same team in this match,” he added.
You will still bowl after winning the toss: Aakash Chopra
Former India cricketer Aakash Chopra further expressed that Team India will opt to bowl first if they win the toss. He recalled India’s last match against Hong Kong in the 2018 Asia Cup. India managed to score 285 runs in 50 overs, after batting first. In response, Hong Kong had a great opening stand of 172 runs. However, they lost wickets in quick succession thereafter losing the match by 26 runs.
“One viewpoint is that you should bat first after winning the toss in such a match. I feel you won’t be able to do that. You will still bowl after winning the toss because the opposition team are no pushover, no team is a pushover. The last time we met them in 2018, there was an opening partnership of 172 runs, sweat was coming out from every body part, it was such a bad situation, and there were questions if India will lose because they were chasing 280 only. India won but at that time, we were in trouble,” said Aakash Chopra.
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