Aakash Chopra, the former cricketer turned commentator said that Virat Kohli should have played at least the ODIs or T20Is against West Indies. Former India cricketer Aakash Chopra has claimed that he can’t understand why Virat Kohli was rested during the West Indies tour and said that the star batter should have played either the ODIs or T20Is.
Virat Kohli has been going through a rough patch in international cricket and has been afforded a rest by the team management on multiple occasions. The former India captain missed the entire West Indies tour and has also been excluded from the team for the upcoming ODI series against Zimbabwe.
Aakash Chopra Felt Virat Kohli Should’ve Played At Least One Format- ODIs Or T20Is Against West Indies
Speaking on Jatin Sparu’s YouTube channel, Aakash Chopra said that Virat Kohli’s numbers are reminded often because he hasn’t played many games of late. The former opener also said that Virat Kohli would walk into the current team and should have played at least the ODIs or T20Is against the West Indies.
“The problem is that you need to remind people of Virat’s numbers. This is because he has played very little and missed more games of late. Even Rohit and Suryakumar won’t score in every game. But since they play continuously, we remember the good knocks that they played. Virat walks into the team no doubt, but he should have played at least the ODIs or T20Is against the West Indies,” said Aakash Chopra.
Virat Kohli scored only 11 and 20 in the 5th Test against England. His poor form continued in T20Is too as he failed to make a mark on his comeback. The batting superstar was out for just 1 off 3 balls in the 2nd T20I and scored 11 off 6 balls in the 3rd T20I before a minor groin strain ruled him out of the 1st ODI. He scored 16 in the 2nd ODI and 17 in the 3rd ODI.
Virat Kohli was rested for the entire white ball series against West Indies. It has been reported that the BCCI wanted to pick the batter but he insisted on a break, and the board agreed. Virat Kohli would have to wait till the Asia Cup 2022 to return to action as he was rested for the ODIs against Zimbabwe.
Aakash Chopra Doesn’t Understand The Thinking Behind Sending Suryakumar Yadav At The Top To Open
Aakash Copra also said that Suryakumar Yadav should be installed back at No.4 for India and admitted that he was surprised by the team management’s decision to use him as an opener against West Indies. The former Indian opener said that Suryakumar Yadav has an understanding of batting in the middle overs and positions are important in the game.
“I don’t understand the thinking behind sending him at the top. Batting in the middle order is a bit difficult and he is also in form, so he has an understanding of that role. In T20Is and Tests, I feel positions are very important. Why don’t you send DK or Hardik at the top? Because they have a specified role, right? Then why not the same for Suryakumar Yadav?,” said Chopra.
Suryakumar Yadav played a cameo of 24 runs in the 4th T20I in just 14 balls that included 1 four and 2 sixes. Suryakumar Yadav had scored 135 runs averaging 33.75 so far in the ongoing series and is the leading run-getter.
Suryakumar Yadav was the star of the show in the third T20I of the five-match series against West Indies as he played a knock of 76 runs to help India chase down 165 runs with seven wickets in hand and one over to spare.