IND vs WI: Aakash Chopra Blasts Hardik Pandya For Using Yuzvendra Chahal Inside The Powerplay Despite 4th T20I Win

Former Indian opener Aakash Chopra was not impressed by Hardik Pandya’s captaincy despite India’s fourth T20I win in Florida on Sunday. India won the match by nine wickets to draw level in the series and take it to the decider on Sunday.

Chopra was disappointed with how Hardik used his spinners inside the powerplay, especially Yuzvendra Chahal. Axar Patel started the innings for India going for 15 runs in his first over. Chahal too was used inside the powerplay. The ace spinner went for 26 in his four overs taking the wicket of Shai Hope (45).

“Why are you giving overs to Yuzi Chahal in the powerplay? You started with Axar Patel and got him to bowl three overs. It’s not that he conceded 15 runs in his three overs, he got hit for 30 runs in three overs but you still gave him three overs” said Chopra while reviewing the 4th T20I on his Youtube channel.

Aakash Chopra further said that he was unhappy with how Hardik used Chahal and that the senior spinner could have been used better. His fellow spinner Kuldeep Yadav took two for 26 and continue to rise his stocks since his return to international cricket.

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Aakash Chopra Questions Hardik Pandya’s Captaincy, Usage Of Yuzvendra Chahal

“Yuzi Chahal got hit for 13 runs in his first over, you bowl him there and get him back again. Why it is happening like this, I have got no idea. In my opinion, Yuzi Chahal can be used better than this, which Sanju Samson showed by doing it” Chopra said.

Aakash Chopra also criticised Hardik for the way he used his seamers. Mukesh Kumar was introduced as late as the 14th over of the West Indian innings. Arshdeep Singh was taken out of the attack after he dismissed Kyle Mayers in the second over. He was brought back in the sixth over when he dismissed Brandon King.

“Mukesh Kumar, who bowled well, was not given the new ball. Mukesh Kumar was bowled in the end once again. This time at least he was given three overs, last time he was given only two. Fast bowlers bowled only two overs with the new ball, which were bowled by one guy (Arshdeep). Hardik Pandya bowled just one over, proved expensive and didn’t come back” Chopra concluded saying.

With the series level at 2-2, the fifth and final T20I will be played on Sunday (August 13) in Florida.

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