Former India batter Aakash Chopra has questioned the selection of Australia spinner Ashton Agar in the squad against India. Pertinently, Agar returned to Australia in the midway of the series–and India has taken an unassailable 2-0 lead in the four-match Test series–and retained the Border Gavaskar Trophy.
Aakash Chopra questioned Agar’s selection in the team. He came in as the second-choice spinner for Australia next to Nathan Lyon but didn’t play a game owing to his low confidence according to reports.
Chopra speaking on his YouTube channel said: “Ashton has been sent back. He came here as the No. 2 spinner and has been asked to go back and play in the Sheffield Shield. There was repeated talk from the Australian camp that Ashton Agar’s confidence is slightly down. Why was he selected if his confidence was down?”
He also criticized Australian selectors for their mindset–and stressed a lot of focus must be given to their first-class cricket
“It explains the Australian selectors’ mindset. For decades, this has been a team where you felt that there is clarity of thought. They have got people to make their debuts at 30. There was a lot of focus on first-class cricket and there was always a clear thought process,” Chopra added.
The third test will begin in Indore on March 1, and Australia will miss the service of their skipper Pat Cummins due to personal commitments.
Besides, Steve Smith is all set to lead Australia in the third test, and Cameron Green and Mitchell Starc are likely to feature in the playing XI. Green will add a lot of depth to the Australian team in both the batting and bowling departments respectively. Australia will look to stage a comeback in Indore by playing their brand of cricket.
There Was Clear Messaging – Ashton Agar On Getting Picked In Team
Despite being named in the original touring party, Agar was overlooked for the first two Tests against India as he fell behind off-spinner Todd Murphy–and fellow left-arm spinner Matt Kuhnemann in the pecking order.
“There was clear messaging, they communicated with me and it’s a clear path forward with that message – it’s chin up, walks tall, and tries to improve. There’s no bitterness around this sort of stuff anymore; that’s an old-school mentality. I just try and give as much as I can and help where I can,” Chopra stated.
Agar will take part in Western Australia’s Sheffield Shield match on March 2 and the 50-over Marsh Cup final on March 8. Ashton Agar will return to India for the three-match ODI series after being named in the Australian squad.