The Rajasthan Royals lost to the Mumbai Indians by 8 wickets on Tuesday at the Sharjah Cricket Stadium in a do-or-die encounter. Former cricketer Aakash Chopra has criticized the Rajasthan Royals team for the strategy against the defending champions.
Rajasthan Royals were bowled out for a paltry 90 in the first innings, owing to poor shot-selection by their batters. In reply, the Mumbai Indians chased down the target in less than 9 overs. Rajasthan Royals are almost out of the qualification race for the playoffs, of the Indian Premier League 2021.
While reviewing the Mumbai Indians and Rajasthan Royals clash, Aakash Chopra on his Youtube Channel criticized the inclusion of debutant Kuldip Yadav. He said,
“It was absolutely beyond my understanding why the Rajasthan Royals made changes to their team. You played Kuldip. Has he ever played T20 cricket? Nothing against the kid but there is Mumbai Indians in front of you and you played a kid in a must-win game where if you don’t win, the story will change. I mean why?”
“Please look inwards that why you dropped Akash Singh, probably he was injured, then why have you kept Jaydev Unadkat if you had to bring a left-arm fast bowler only, then why you didn’t play him,” he added.
Aakash Chopra questions frequent changes in Rajasthan Royals’ playing XI
Aakash Chopra also questioned the exclusion of Mayank Markande from the playing XI against the Mumbai Indians. He pointed out that the Rajasthan Royals have made too many changes over the last few years. Aakash also criticized the Rajasthan Royals team management. He stated that if the team is not doing well, the management is also to be blamed. Aakash said,
“What wrong did Mayank Markande do that you have dropped him after one match? It makes no sense honestly. Some teams, make so many changes. The last time Rajasthan played the same team in three consecutive matches, that was in 2018 or probably even before that. They don’t play the same team again and again, which Mumbai, Chennai, and Delhi do.”
“That is where I would say that a lot of times the management has a hand in making or breaking players. If your team doesn’t do well over a period of time, there also the management has a hand,” Aakash Chopra said.
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