Aakash Chopra brutally trolls Bangladesh for playing 'sub-standard and extremely mediocre' cricket

A young Indian team was too hot to handle for an experienced Bangladesh team at Gwalior in the first T20I of the series. Team India's youngsters showed why they are so talented and dangerous at the same time as they defeated the visitors by 7 wickets with 49 balls to spare.

Former India cricketer Aakash Chopra was highly critical of Bangladesh's approach and questioned the team's performance. He also claimed that it wasn't a match but a mismatch between these two teams.

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"They showed Bangladesh the mirror" - Aakash Chopra trolls Bangladesh cricket team

While speaking in a video on his YouTube channel, Aakash Chopra spoke about the match and stated that Bangladesh were decimated by India. He questioned the approach of the visiting team and claimed that they did not even come close to winning the game.

"Decimate, dominate, they were disposed of. Bangladesh guys - what are you doing, what sort of cricket do you play? You didn't even come close. This wasn't a match but a mismatch. India have gone 1-0 ahead. Whoever bowled picked up wickets, and whoever had a bat in his hands hit," Chopra said.

The former India opener further mentioned that India played like the true world champions and showed the mirror to Bangladesh. He even questioned the growth of Bangladesh cricket.

"This team are the world champions and they played like world champions. They showed Bangladesh the mirror, that you are the third-best or fourth-best team in Asia at the moment. The evolution and growth of your cricket was not seen at all. I am not just saying that one match has been like that," he added.

There were plenty of positives for India in the match. Arshdeep Singh finished with 3-14 while the debutant Mayank Yadav impressed with his pace and finished with 1-21 in four overs. Mystery spinner Varun Chakaravarthy was excellent on his comeback and finished with 3-31 in four overs.

Aakash Chopra compares Hardik Pandya to a Turkish shooter

In the same video, Aakash Chopra compared Hardik Pandya to the famous Turkish shooter who became famous at the Paris Olympics 2024. He added that the West Indian swag was visible in Pandya and his shots.

"Do you remember the Turkish shooter, who had a hand in his pocket in the Olympics? Hardik Pandya was also similar. What swag and attitude. That just defined everything for me. The way he played that (no-look) shot and stood there and looked (at the bowler), there was West Indian swag in that, and the team's swagger," Aakash Chopra explained.

During the end stages of the match, Bangladesh quick Taskin Ahmed bowled a short-of-a-length ball to Hardik Pandya, which the batter nonchalantly ramped it over the wicketkeeper for a four. The shot went extremely viral for the swag of Hardik Pandya.

The allrounder did not even bother to look after putting the bat to the ball and kept looking at the bowler's eyes full of confidence. It seemed like a net session for him as he smashed 39 off 16 balls and finished the game with a six.

"You are playing sub-standard cricket" - Aakash Chopra on Bangladesh

The cricketer-turned-commentator also mentioned that Bangladesh played sub-standard cricket and were not able to match India in any aspect during the game. He blamed the visitors for playing mediocre cricket.

"There was actually one thing in that. The Indian team are playing like that because, sorry Bangladesh, due respect, but you are not challenging us. You are playing sub-standard cricket. You are playing extremely mediocre cricket," Aakash Chopra noted.

Chasing a target of 128 runs, Indian batters came out all guns blazing and raced towards the target in just 11.5 overs. Abhishek Sharma and Sanju Samson provided the team a brisk start and captain Suryakumar Yadav scored a fiery 29 off 14 balls.

Hardik Pandya completed the formalities with an innings full of entertainment. Pandya's innings consisted of 5 fours and 2 sixes. The next T20I will be played in Delhi on October 9 and Bangladesh will aim to make a comeback.