IND vs IRE: "The Simple Problem Is That They Have Not Picked A No. 8 Batter" - Aakash Chopra Ahead Of 1st T20I

Former cricketer Aakash Chopra has expressed concerns about the lack of depth in the Indian cricket team in the three-match series against Ireland. Aakash Chopra highlighted that the Men in Blue don’t have a proper player to occupy the No. 8 batting position in the lineup.

The Indian team had only seven batting options during the recently concluded T20I series against the West Indies. The visitors suffered a series loss by a margin of 3-2 in the five-match series. The lower-order batting problem proved to be costly for the team in the series.

Seeing A Problem With This Team – Aakash Chopra

In a video shared on his YouTube channel, Aakash Chopra criticized Squad Selection for the Ireland Series, questioning the inclusion of Shahbaz Ahmed or other batters in the playing XI.

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“I am already seeing a problem with this team. The problem that was there against West Indies will be repeated once again here. The simple problem is that they have not picked a No. 8 batter now also. You will get stuck if you try to pick a batter at No. 8.”

Jasprit Bumrah will lead the team in the three-match T20I series against India, which is set to begin on August 18. The first T20I between the two teams will be played at The Village in Dublin on Friday.

Ravi Bishnoi At No. 8 – Aakash Chopra

Aakash Chopra picked Washington Sundar as an all-rounder and Ravi Bishnoi to bat at the No. 8 position in the lineup. He predicted that Prasidh Krishna would play in the first T20I ahead of Mukesh Kumar and Avesh Khan.

“Ravi Bishnoi after Washington Sundar and then Jasprit Bumrah. See Ravi Bishnoi has come at No. 8. You are stuck now. Bishnoi at No. 8, Bumrah at No. 9, Prasidh Krishna at No. 10, Arshdeep Singh at No. 11.”

India Squad: Jasprit Bumrah (c), Ruturaj Gaikwad (vc), Yashasvi Jaiswal, Tilak Varma, Rinku Singh, Sanju Samson (wk), Jitesh Sharma (wk), Shivam Dube, Washington Sundar, Shahbaz Ahmed, Ravi Bishnoi, Prasidh Krishna, Arshdeep Singh, Mukesh Kumar, Avesh Khan.

Also read: ICC World Cup 2023: Aakash Chopra Speaks On Prithvi Shaw’s Recent Injury, Says “Another Seat Will Get Booked In The NCA”