A number of youngsters were picked as the Indian cricket team announced the squad for the 5-match T20I series against South Africa. Among the rookies that Indian cricket lovers are eager to see is Umran Malik. However, Aakash Chopra doesn’t think he will be picked in the playing XI for the opening T20I on Thursday.
With KL Rahul ruled out of the series, the opening spots are clear, with Ishan Kishan and Ruturaj Gaikwad set to open. Chopra, hence had little trouble in picking his openers.
“It is now confirmed that Ishan Kishan and Ruturaj Gaikwad, India’s new opening pair, will be seen playing because KL Rahul is not there. An interesting stat about Ishan Kishan is that his strike rate has gone down in the last three years.”
Chopra, having analysed the Indian squad, even had a doubt over Dinesh Karthik’s place in the team. For him, it would be either Deepak Hooda or Karthik in the playing XI.
“Shreyas Iyer will come at No. 3 or Deepak Hooda will come, that’s a question if Deepak Hooda plays. If Deepak Hooda plays, then Dinesh Karthik will probably not be able to play.”
“Rahul Dravid is the coach and Rishabh Pant is the captain, Deepak Hooda can play. Then Hardik Pandya and Rishabh Pant and if Hooda doesn’t play, then Dinesh Karthik at No. 6,” Chopra opined.
Chopra picked 5 full-time bowlers in the Indian team. Chopra picked the spin bowling combination of Yuzvendra Chahal and Axar Patel. Avesh Khan, Bhuvneshwar Kumar and Harshal Patel formed the pace bowling trio.
“Chahal is there but Kuldeep is not there, so it is not going to be Kulcha. So Axar (Patel) and Chahal, and then the three pacers – I am saying Harshal (Patel), Bhuvi (Bhuvneshwar Kumar) and Avesh (Khan). That’s what I feel, let’s see what the Indian team does. There are not too many options left, that’s the sad reality.”
There was no place for Umran Malik, the man touted to break Team India’s pace bowling record.
Aakash Chopra’s Team India XI for the 1st T20I vs South Africa: Ishan Kishan, Ruturaj Gaikwad, Shreyas Iyer, Hardik Pandya, Rishabh Pant, Deepak Hooda/Dinesh Karthik, Axar Patel, Yuzvendra Chahal, Harshal Patel, Bhuvneshwar Kumar, Avesh Khan
