Former cricketer Aakash Chopra has picked his India playing XI for the first T20I match against Ireland. All-rounder Hardik Pandya will be leading the Indian team in the two-match T20I series starting on Sunday, June 26.
The Indian selectors have picked a young squad, as the senior players are unavailable. Opening batter Ruturaj Gaikwad earned his maiden India call-up for the series. With the ICC T20 World Cup 2022 set to take place later this year, the Indian youngsters will be keen to make an impact against Ireland to make a case for themselves.
In a video shared on his YouTube channel, Aakash Chopra named Ruturaj Gaikwad and Ishan Kishan as the two openers for India. He picked Suryakumar Yadav, who is making a comeback to the Indian team post-injury, at number three. Aakash Chopra said,
“Ruturaj Gaikwad did not do well in the series against South Africa. These are his last two chances if he is given these two chances. This is his final opportunity; I doubt he will get chances against England. Ishan Kishan has another chance to establish himself a little more.”
“The big question will be if you will play Deepak Hooda, Sanju Samson or Suryakumar Yadav at three. I will play Surya at three for the simple reason that he is part of our World Cup team. You will say that he will play at No. 4 at the World Cup because Kohli will play at No. 3; my argument is you want him to be amongst the runs,” he added.
Aakash Chopra picked Deepak Hooda at number three. He reasoned that the batting all-rounder is higher up the pecking order for India, and won’t be fair if Sanju Samson or Rahul Tripathi get a chance ahead of him. Hardik Pandya and Dinesh Karthik followed Deepak Hooda in Aakash Chopra’s playing XI.
Aakash Chopra picks India’s bowling options for the first T20I against Ireland
Former India cricketer Aakash Chopra picked Venkatesh Iyer at number seven for India. He expressed that the Ireland team might find it difficult to hit the spinners, but the conditions will help the pacers. He stated,
“At No. 7, it is slightly interesting if you will play Axar Patel. The Ireland team plays fast bowling easily, so play more spin, but the truth is also that these conditions are not going to help spin that much. I feel Hardik Pandya will bowl more here, then why not Venkatesh Iyer.”
While picking India’s bowling attack, Aakash stuck to the same bowling attack as the South Africa series. He elaborated,
“Yuzi Chahal is my only leg-spinner. Deepak Hooda will give me some off-spin. After that, when I look at the bowlers, Bhuvneshwar Kumar and then I will go with Harshal Patel. I am thinking about Avesh Khan now, but I won’t mind if Arshdeep plays.”
Aakash Chopra’s India XI for 1st T20I: Ruturaj Gaikwad, Ishan Kishan, Suryakumar Yadav, Deepak Hooda, Hardik Pandya, Dinesh Karthik, Venkatesh Iyer, Yuzvendra Chahal, Bhuvneshwar Kumar, Harshal Patel, Avesh Khan.
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