Former Indian opener Aakash Chopra urged the Indian team management to play Ravichandran Ashwin against the defending Champions England, given their weakness against the off-spinners. The Men in Blue are on a roll in the marquee event winning five out of five games so far in the tournament.
Ravichandran Ashwin played only in one World Cup 2023 match in Chennai against Australia and in the game, he picked up one wicket and conceded only 34 runs in his ten overs and was not provided an opportunity in the team due to playing conditions and team combination.
Speaking on his YouTube Channel, According to Aakash Chopra, Ravichandran Ashwin should be included in the team for the upcoming match in Lucknow, as the pitch is favourable for spinners and he believes that the English batsmen are susceptible to slow bowlers. Additionally, he cautioned that the team should be mindful of the dew factor in the second innings, which could favour the chasing team.
“When you see England in front of you, you say let’s play an off-spinner. When you see the Lucknow ground, you say it’s such a big ground, so let’s play an off-spinner. Then you think the ball was turning a lot in the IPL, so let’s play an off-spinner but this is not the wicket that was there in the IPL.”
“This is not the black-soil pitch that was there in the IPL. It is now a red-soil pitch that has bounce and pace. Dew also comes in later. You have to keep in mind that if you get to field second, you will have three spinners, and the ball will get wet. So you might end up playing into the hands of the opposition,” Aakash Chopra said
Several Indian experts had speculated that Ravichandran Ashwin might be in the starting XI, with conditions favouring the spinners. However, in the ongoing match between India and England, the Men in Blue decided to remain with the same team.
I Would Say Mohammed Shami Because He Is Bowling Better – Aakash Chopra
Aakash Chopra wants to play Mohammed Shami before Mohammed Siraj if India plays just two seamers. Despite acknowledging that Siraj bowled very effectively against New Zealand, the former cricket player turned analyst pointed out that Shami is now in better form in terms of taking wickets.
“Firstly, I feel you shouldn’t go with that thinking (of playing three spinners) because the dew issue is always there and no match has been played on the black-soil pitch thus far. However, if they play Ashwin, who is between Siraj and Shami? I would say Mohammed Shami because he is bowling better.”
“There is no doubt that Siraj bowled well in the last match but Shami has picked up a five-wicket haul in the only match he has played. So I would go with Shami based on form. The rest of India’s bases are covered,” Aakash Chopra added.
Mohammed Shami played in his first World Cup 2023 game on Sunday against New Zealand. The right-arm pacer made an incredible comeback to the playing XI, picking up 5/54 and earned Player of the Match and could be crucial for the team’s success in the marquee event.
