Asia Cup 2023: Aakash Chopra Believes Shubman Gill Might Be Dropped From Playing XI If KL Rahul Remains Unavailable

Former Indian cricketer Aakash Chopra suggested that young opener Shubman Gill could be dropped from the playing XI if KL Rahul is unavailable. Aakash Chopra emphasized that Ishan Kishan might be considered to open the innings alongside skipper Rohit Sharma.

The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) recently unveiled a 17-member Indian squad for the upcoming Asia Cup. KL Rahul returned to the national team after a prolonged injury layoff. However, Rahul will miss the initial few games as he is currently carrying a niggle.

Possibility That Ishan Kishan Opens – Aakash Chopra

In a video shared on his YouTube channel, Aakash Chopra said that Shubman Gill might have to sit out if Rahul misses the matches due to injury.

“Who will play in the XI if KL Rahul has a niggle? There is a possibility that Ishan Kishan opens and Shubman Gill sits out. Then you will see Virat Kohli, Shreyas Iyer, Hardik Pandya and probably either Suryakumar Yadav or Tilak Varma playing.”

I Wouldn’t Want To Do That – Aakash Chopra

The former Indian opener stated that Virat Kohli should not be moved to No. 4 in the batting lineup to make room for Ishan Kishan at the top of the order.

“If you have to play Ishan Kishan, you have to play him at the top of the order. There is a question about whether Virat Kohli can be sent at No. 4. Personally, I wouldn’t want to do that.”

“Virat will be able to bat but will it be the right game plan to marginalize or neutralize your main one-day player by sending him at No. 4 instead of No. 3? The overs will get reduced. The same Virat Kohli won’t be there. I am not talking from his perspective but he finishes the match whenever he plays at No. 3.”

Shubman Gill Or Ishan Kishan Has To Sit Out – Aakash Chopra

Aakash Chopra said that Shubman Gill could be dropped from the playing XI due to his recent inconsistent performances during the West Indies tour.

“So I want him (Kohli) to remain at No. 3. That means either Shubman Gill or Ishan Kishan has to sit out but if you don’t have a keeper, then Shubman Gill has to sit out. It can happen as well, it is not a big deal because his recent form on the West Indies tour was very, very patchy and he didn’t go to play in Ireland as well.”

Ishan Kishan scored three half-centuries in each of the three games during the recently concluded ODI series against the Windies. on the other hand, Shubman Gill accumulated 126 runs with an average of 42 and a strike rate of 80.25.

Also read: Asia Cup 2023: Rohit Sharma, Shubman Gill And Ishan Kishan Are Our 3 Preferred Openers – Ajit Agarkar On Shikhar Dhawan’s Exclusion