Former Indian opener Aakash Chopra believes Shardul Thakur shouldn’t be benched for the second ODI against Australia despite his lacklustre performance in the series opener because he is a part of the India squad for the marquee event in India.
In the Mohali ODI, Thakur went for 78 runs in his 10 overs, while going without a wicket. His lack of speed was exploited by Australian batsmen, who hammered him for 11 fours and two sixes.
The fast-bowling all-rounder will be under pressure to come good in the forthcoming games, as he will challenged by Mohammed Shami for a spot in the playing 11 after his five-wicket haul in the 1st ODI.
Speaking on his YouTube Channel, Aakash Chopra opened up India’s playing combination heading into the 2nd ODI in Indore, as he urged the team management to back Shardul Thakur for the upcoming games against Australia especially given his spot in the ODI World Cup squad and his belief that India would stick with the same batting lineup in the match.
“In the bowling, I expect there is a possible churning that might just happen. I feel Jasprit Bumrah will be rested and Mohammed Siraj will get a game. I still see Shardul Thakur playing. In fact, he should play. If Shardul Thakur is part of your World Cup squad, he should not be touched. That is what I feel. There will be another chance for Mohammed Shami and Thakur,” he added.
“I don’t see many changes in batting. You won’t touch KL Rahul and Shreyas Iyer. If Tilak Varma has to come in, Ishan Kishan will have to go up the order. I don’t see that happening since Ruturaj Gaikwad is there,” Aakash Chopra said.
Shardul Thakur has been a strike bowler for the Indian team in the ODI format of the game as he has the luck of picking up wickets for the team and has proved his mettle as a batter capable of taking on bowlers and scoring runs at the crucial time and can slot in as perfect No.8 player for the team heading into the World Cup.
India Will Need More Wickets From Ravindra Jadeja – Aakash Chopra
Aakash Chopra wants to see Ravindra Jadeja picking up more wickets for the team going ahead into the World Cup and feels that Ravichandran Ashwin will be more tested in conditions like Indore, which is more friendly to the batters.
“India will need more wickets from Ravindra Jadeja. It is not easy to get wickets on this surface. There is another chance for Ravichandran Ashwin. He will be tested,” Aakash Chopra added.
Ravindra Jadeja and Ravichandran Ashwin picked up one wicket each in the opening game against Australia, with Mohammed Shami dominating the game with his five-wicket haul. The Indian bowlers will come up against a bigger challenge in the 2nd ODI in Holkar, which is a batting paradise for the batters.