IND vs NZ 2021: “How Can You Drop Rahul Chahar On The Back Of A Single Match?” – Aakash Chopra

Sanika Sawant

3 years ago

Former India cricketer Aakash Chopra has questioned Rahul Chahar’s exclusion from the Indian T20 squad for the New Zealand series.

The Board of Control for Cricket in India on Tuesday announced a 16-member squad for the series, with Rohit Sharma as the skipper. The likes of Virat Kohli, Jasprit Bumrah, Mohammed Shami have been rested. Whereas, Venkatesh Iyer and Avesh Khan along with Harshal Patel have earned their maiden India call-ups. However, Rahul Chahar’s exclusion baffled many including Aakash Chopra.

In a video on Aakash’s YouTube Channel, the former cricketer said:

“Rahul Chahar only played a single game in the tournament and on the back of just that single game, how did you decide that he’s now not in the scheme of things. It was totally unfair.”

Aakash Chopra also questioned the lack of clarity in the Indian T20 setup. He pointed out the exclusions of Shardul Thakur and Varun Chakravarthy from the T20I series squad. Aakash said:

“Shardul Thakur is not part of the team. You, right before the World Cup, put him in the squad from the traveling reserves and now he has been dropped. What does it tell us? I am confused. Varun Chakravarthy has also not been picked. That’s another interesting point I need to bring about. He was your mystery spinner and was selected ahead of Ashwin in the initial matches of the WC. And now after playing him in 3 matches, is that it? Is he currently not in your blueprint for the T20I set-up?”

Important series for Bhuvneshwar Kumar to find his form: Aakash Chopra

Bhuvneshwar Kumar has looked off-color in the last few months. In Indian Premier League 2021, he took just 6 wickets in 11 matches, conceding runs at an economy rate of almost 8. Bhuvneshwar was dropped from the Indian playing XI in the ICC T20 World Cup 2021, after the first match.

Aakash Chopra believes the upcoming New Zealand T20I series will be important for the seamer to find his form. He said,

“Another chance for Bhuvneshwar Kumar. And this series will be one of the most important and typical chances for Bhuvi to find his form. Because if he doesn’t do well in this series, there might be an indictment that his career might be in danger.”

The three-match T20I series kickstart from November 17 in Jaipur, followed by matches in Ranchi and Kolkata.

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