IND vs WI: Aakash Chopra Urges India To Keep The Same Lineup For 3rd ODI Despite Sanju Samson, Axar Patel's Poor Outing

Former Indian cricketer Aakash Chopra feels that the Men in Blue should stick with the same playing XI for the third and final ODI match against the West Indies. Aakash Chopra pointed out that Sanju Samson and Axar Patel can’t be judged after just one poor batting performance.

The team management made changes to their lineup in the second ODI, resting senior batters Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli. All-rounder Hardik Pandya led the team in Rohit’s absence. Sanju Samson and Axar Patel, who were brought into the line-up, failed to make an impact with the bat.

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Aakash Chopra took to Twitter to express that India should stick with the same batting lineup for the final match, adding that Suryakumar Yadav should bat at No. 6.

“If this is the approach, I’m expecting the same XI to play in the 3rd match too. Perhaps, with the same batting order. One innings for Sanju at 3 and Axar at 4 can’t be enough. SKY must bat at 6 too,” Chopra tweeted.

If this is the approach, I’m expecting the same XI to play in the 3rd match too. Perhaps, with the same batting order. One innings for Sanju at 3 and Axar at 4 can’t be enough. SKY must bat at 6 too. Thoughts? #CricketTwitter pic.twitter.com/n7Nmquy8qF

— Aakash Chopra (@cricketaakash) July 30, 2023

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India head coach Rahul Dravid stated that they decided to rest skipper Rohit Sharma and senior batter Virat Kohli as they were looking at the bigger picture, keeping the ODI World Cup 2023 in mind.

“We will always look at the bigger picture. At this stage in the cycle, with the Asia Cup and the World Cup coming up, in some ways with the injuries that we have, we have to look at the bigger picture. We can’t look at every single game and every single series. If we do that, I think it will be a mistake,” Dravid said.

The Men in Blue were bowled out for just 181 runs despite a 90-run partnership from openers Ishan Kishan and Shubman Gill. The home team chased down the target in 36.4 overs with six wickets to spare. The series decider will be played in Trinidad on Tuesday, August 1.

Also read: IND vs WI: Aakash Chopra Criticises Team Management For Resting Rohit Sharma And Virat Kohli For The 2nd ODI