IND vs WI: Aakash Chopra Digs Out WTC Final Decision On Ashwin As He Shares His Expectations From Ajit Agarkar

Published - 08 Jul 2023, 12:05 AM | Updated - 23 Aug 2024, 12:15 AM

Ajit Agarkar [PC: BCCI]

Former Indian cricketer Aakash Chopra opened up about the selection of Ajit Agarkar as the chairman of selectors. He said that he will be remembered for the results he produce and he can ask skipper Rohit Sharma why they didn’t play Ravichandran Ashwin in the ICC World Test Championship Final against Australia.

BCCI recently roped in Ajit Agarkar as the chairman of selectors. The former Indian cricketer didn’t take much long to get into the groove as a day after that selection committee named the squad for the five-match T20I series against West Indies. The team continued to be led by Hardik Pandya with seniors being rested. Also, there were maiden call-ups for Yashasvi Jaiswal and Tilak Varma.

One of the biggest challenges for Ajit Agarkar moving forward would be to select a team that can bring the ICC trophy home. India haven’t won a single trophy since 2013 and has faced quite a few heartbreaks in the last 10 years. They have not managed to get past the hurdle and Agarkar would want to change that.

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Aakash Chopra highlighted the key points that Ajit Agarkar would need to address as a selector. He said that one of the biggest questions ahead of the former Indian pacer would be about handling the transition in the team. Speaking in a video posted on his youtube channel, he said:

“You will be remembered for the results that you produce. Just like your coaching is judged based on results, when you take up the role of selector, the way your team has performed, whether you handled the transition well, could you prepare the next generation of players, did you give your team the best chance to win the trophy… these are the questions that will be asked from Agarkar.”

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IND vs WI: “Ajit Agarkar can also ask the question to Rohit, ‘why didn’t you play Ashwin?” Says Aakash Chopra

One of the biggest talking points related to the Indian Cricket Team has been the exclusion of Ravichandran Ashwin from playing 11 in the recently concluded ICC World Test Championship Final, where India suffered a massive loss.

The absence of Ravichandran Ashwin was quite evident as India failed to take wickets and struggled in the middle phase a lot and also Nathan Lyon bagged wickets too. So the decision proved to be wrong and backfired.

Aakash Chopra further while highlighting Ajit Agarkar’s role as selector said that he can ask skipper Rohit Sharma about his decision to drop Ashwin. He explained:

“Ajit Agarkar can also ask the question to Rohit, ‘why didn’t you play Ashwin? What was the thought process?’ He doesn’t decide the XI but he has the right to ask, because he is the chairman of selectors,” he concluded.

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