Aakash Chopra believes Prithvi Shaw should open the inning with Shikhar Dhawan in the ODI series against Sri Lanka. The India tour of Sri Lanka contains 3 ODIS and 3 T20Is. Notably, India has selected 4 specialist opening batsmen for the limited-overs series. Captain Shikhar Dhawan will be the first choice opener for India on this tour. However other than Dhawan India has picked Prithvi Shaw, Devdutt Padikkal, and Ruturaj Gaikwad.
Former Indian cricketer Chopra uploaded a video on his YouTube channel previewing the SL vs IND ODI match. Adding to it the video was the 15th episode of his YouTube series called ‘ Betway Cricket Chaupaal’.
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Cricketer-turned-commentators mentioned that Shaw has been in exceptional form in the last few months. Also Aakash Chopra feels like Prithvi Shaw will definitely open with Dhawan in the T20I series. However, Aakash picked Shaw over Gaikwad and Paddikal for the ODI series as well. He stated:
“Prithvi Shaw, 2021 is actually his year. Because 2020 was slightly topsy-turvy, he played Tests and was dropped as well. He was dropped in the IPL also. But since the start of 2021, he started hitting in the Vijay Hazare Trophy and has not stopped after that.”
“He had an amazing IPL as well. In T20s, I feel Prithvi Shaw will anyway clinch the deal but who in ODIs? I am thinking Prithvi Shaw. I feel he should be given an opportunity with Shikhar Dhawan, the left-right batting combination.”
Notably, Shikhar Dhawan and Prithvi Shaw were exceptional openers for Delhi Capitals in the IPL. The two openers provided great starts to the team several times in the tournament. Also, both of them are featured in the highest run-getters list in the IPL 2021. Dhawan is placed at no.1 spot and Shaw is at no.4.
“I am not saying that there is a spot available at the top” – Aakash Chopra
The 43-year-old lauded Prithvi Shaw’s destructive batting ability. Chopra feels that Shaw will be the perfect option at the top order Aakash asserted:
“Prithvi Shaw gives you an option which is so tempting, it is mouth-watering. A player who is disruptive, who can come and be destructive, if you give chances to such a player and if he makes use of them, what an option you will have.”
Aakash Chopra concluded the video by highlighting that he is not thinking too far ahead for T20 World Cup. As he feels like India already has many brilliant opening batsmen for the marquee event. Aakash Chopra stated:
“I am not saying that there is a spot available at the top. There is Rohit Sharma, KL Rahul, and Virat Kohli himself want to open if we look towards the World T20 but don’t think about that now. He [Shaw] allows you to play a different brand of cricket.”
The India tour of Sri Lanka might give many players a chance to put their names forward for the T20 World Cup. Although many spots are fixed but if a player performs exceptionally he might get a spot in the Indian World Cup squad.
