IND vs WI: "Axar Patel Was Sent At Number 4... Why ?" - Aakash Chopra Slams Indian Team Management

Former Indian opener Aakash Chopra was livid with the Indian team management for promoting Axar Patel at number four in the second ODI against West Indies. In the absence of Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli majority of the Indian batters batted out of position as India lost the match to West Indies.

It was Windies’ first victory in ODIs against India after nine consecutive losses. This was their first victory since December 2019. While this was a debatable performance from India with just two months to go for the World Cup, West Indies bounced back in style after the first ODI loss.

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Chopra was disappointed to see Axar Patel promoted to number four in the batting lineup. He questioned the logic behind the decision in the long run given that Axar will not bat at four once the likes of Shreyas Iyer and KL Rahul return to the team.

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Axar Patel Is Never Going To Play At Number Four- Aakash Chopra

“Axar Patel was sent at No. 4 here – how, why, when, where? I have a lot of respect and admiration for Axar but Axar is never going to play at No. 4. What are his chances of playing for India at No. 4 from the World Cup or the Asia Cup perspective? I don’t see him playing there in 50-over cricket,” Chopra said.

The former Indian opener further said that when India’s top-order has three right-handers in Rohit, Gill and Kohli and they are not willing to open with a left-right combination, why was Axar promoted to number four.

“I have another question – is it tenable? Rohit Sharma and Shubman Gill will open and Virat Kohli will play at No. 3 and all three are right-handers. If you want a left-right combination so much, will you play a left-hander by sending one of them down the order? That’s not going to happen – so what was Axar Patel doing at No. 4?,” Chopra added.

The likes of Sanju Samson (9) and Suryakumar Yadav (24) also did not make the most of the opportunity as India lost their last nine wickets for 90-odd runs after Kishan and Gill added 90 for the first wicket.

The final ODI will be played in Trinidad on August 1 followed by a five-match T20I series to round off the tour.

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