Sri Lanka thrashed India by seven wickets in the 3rd T20I to win the three-match T20 series 2-1 on Thursday. While talking about the match former cricketer Aakash Chopra expressed his disappointment in the Indian batting unit. Also, he praised Sri Lanka spinner Wanindu Hasaranga and labeled him as the find of the series.
The cricketer-turned commentator lauded India for continuing the series in the absence of several big players. Notably, Krunal Pandya was found Covid-19 positive also 8 Indian cricketers were in close contact with him. Aakash Chopra explained:
“We should appreciate India for continuing the series in extraordinary circumstances, India could have decided to return home, as Krunal Pandya was covid-19 and 8 members in isolation, So India could have decided to stop playing the series as Bhuvneshwar Kumar was batting at no. 6. They could have said we don’t have enough players, still, they continue playing the series, So well done there”.
#TeamIndia fought hard but Sri Lanka win the T20I series decider by 7 wickets to clinch the series 2-1.
Scorecard 👉 https://t.co/E8MEONwPlh #SLVIND pic.twitter.com/EvAdXKH080
— BCCI (@BCCI) July 29, 2021
Aakash Chopra praised Wanindu Hasaranga and labeled him as the find of the series. He also opined that Hasaranga might reach number one in rankings after his exceptional performance against India. He asserted:
“Wanindu Hasaranga can reach number one in ICC T20I rankings. Hasaranga picked good wickets for the team, he bowled good flat balls, Googly, and Leg spin. Hasaranga delivered an all-round match-winning performance for the team. He has been the find of the series. Hasaranga has performed well consistently for Sri Lanka in difficult times”.
While many tipped that batting first was a wrong decision from Shikhar Dhawan, former Indian cricketer said it was the right decision by India to win the toss and bat first. Aakash Chopra asserted :
” India won the toss and decided to bat first which I feel was the right thing. As India didn’t have good batting depth and they wouldn’t like chasing, which is very fair. While batting first India at least should have posted a fighting total which they didn’t do.
Shikhar Dhawan would be disappointed after his poor run: Aakash Chopra
Aakash Chopra criticized India’s batting unit for its poor performance in the 3rd T20I game against Sri Lanka. He highlighted that only Kuldeep Yadav was able to cross 20 runs mark. Also, he mentioned that Shikhar Dhawan could have made his chances strong for World Cup after scoring good runs which he failed to do. Chopra elaborated:
“Kuldeep Yadav was the only guy to get into the 20s, understood that India doesn’t have a long batting lineup. Still, the remaining batsmen were there to do the job. When players are picked for India they are given responsibility and are expected to perform. You are selected because you are that good otherwise you wouldn’t be picked. We were saying this is not India’s second string and all the players are very capable and talented however they didn’t perform well. Shikhar Dhawan would be disappointed after his poor run with the bat. Although this was not the deciding factor that Shikhar Dhawan will go to World Cup or not. Still, he could have increased his chances for World Cup by scoring good runs which he failed to do. Ruturaj Gaikwad looked decent but got out similarly Devdutt Paddikal got out in both innings.”
Sanju Samson will regret this, he let a great opportunity slip: Aakash Chopra
https://twitter.com/FarziCricketer/status/1420769408549482500?s=20
Sanju Samson was criticized for his poor performance in the 2nd and 3rd T20I games. Aakash Chopra said Sanju has a good opportunity to score runs but he failed and said he will definitely regret this opportunity. Aakash stated :
“We always say about Sanju Samson that he is a very talented player, looks very attractive while batting and so on. Okay, he was batting out of position. But in Thursday’s match, he came in to bat in the fifth over. He should have scored runs. Wanindu Hasaranga came in and foxed him. Samson played four consecutive matches. The other youngsters were in and out of the playing XI but Samson got a longer run without a gap. He played the last ODI and all three T20Is. He scored 46 on his ODI debut but he could not come up with a good score in any of the T20Is. Sanju Samson will regret this, he let a great opportunity slip.”
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