Asia Cup 2022: Aakash Chopra Selects Team India's Likely XI; No Place For Dinesh Karthik

For their Asia Cup 2022 opening match against Pakistan, Aakash Chopra has chosen his likely Team India XI.

From August 27 to September 11, the United Arab Emirates will host the Asia Cup. On Monday, August 8, the 15-person Indian team was chosen by the selectors.

Chopra noted that KL Rahul will probably open with Rohit Sharma in a video posted to his YouTube account. But he went on to say that Virat Kohli batting at the top of the order would not be unexpected, saying:

“It appears as KL Rahul will bat first and Virat Kohli will bat third, as has been discussed. No issue at all, this is what you want in the long run. However, they explored so much in the opening that perhaps there will be more. Virat Kohli probably opens instead of Rahul.”

‘Suryakumar Yadav will be in the middle order: Aakash Chopra

Aakash Chopra chose Rishabh Pant and Suryakumar Yadav to display their talents in the middle order. The former cricket player turned commentator added:

“The middle order will feature Suryakumar Yadav. Since every side possesses a leg-spinner and we have seen time and time again that a left-hander is necessary, Rishabh Pant might be positioned above Surya.”

Hardik Pandya was the other batter listed by Aakash Chopra in the top six. Dinesh Karthik is unlikely to be included in the starting XI, he said, saying:

“Given that Hardik Pandya is also there, Suryakumar should be at No. 5 or No. 6, so why did you keep him open for such a long time? It is possible that Dinesh Karthik would not be able to make the starting XI. Deepak Hooda’s selection demonstrates the necessity for a floater on the team who can bat lower in the order and also bowl.”

Aakash Chopra believes Deepak Hooda will play against Pakistan:

Aakash Chopra thinks Deepak Hooda might be used by Team India as a backup batter. He concluded:

“Because KL Rahul and Virat Kohli are returning to the team after a break and the first match is against Pakistan, it is possible that the team would feel the batting is a little flimsy and that Deepak Hooda should be kept as well.”

Aakash Chopra’s Indian XI: Rohit Sharma, KL Rahul, Virat Kohli, Rishabh Pant, Suryakumar Yadav, Hardik Pandya, Deepak Hooda, Ravindra Jadeja, Yuzvendra Chahal, Bhuvneshwar Kumar, Arshdeep Singh.

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