IND vs WI: "You Kept Him But Bowled Him Only Three Overs" - Aakash Chopra Feels Umran Malik Underutilized In 1st ODI
Published - 28 Jul 2023, 05:55 PM | Updated - 23 Aug 2024, 12:16 AM
Former Indian cricketer Aakash Chopra said that young pacer Umran Malik didn’t bowl enough overs in the first ODI against the West Indies. Aakash Chopra stated that Umran Malik hasn’t been a regular member of India, highlighting his absence from the national team for the Asia Games 2023.
Umran Malik didn’t bowl with the new ball in the first match in Bridgetown, Barbados, on Thursday, July 27. The right-arm pacer was used as the fifth bowling option in the lineup. Malik went wicketless in his three-over spell in India’s five-wicket win over the West Indies in the series opener.
You Haven’t Kept Him In The Asian Games – Aakash Chopra
In a video shared on his YouTube channel, Aakash Chopra said that Rohit Sharma could’ve given one more spell to Umran Malik against the tailenders.
“Umran Malik – a box that should have been ticked is not ticked. You have kept this fast bowler, done a slightly left-field selection because he wasn’t with the team for the last little while and his IPL was also extremely middling, but you haven’t kept him in the Asian Games.”
Ravindra Jadeja picked up three wickets of West Indies’ middle-order batters, while Kuldeep Yadav ran through their lower order and took four wickets in his three overs. Kuldeep was named the Player of the Match for his outstanding bowling performance.
Hardik Pandya Should Bowl Six To Eight Overs – Aakash Chopra
Aakash Chopra said that the team should bowl Hardik Pandya more overs ahead of the ODI World Cup 2023 as he can bring more balance to the team in the mega event.
“There were questions about whether Hardik will bowl. If we see from the World Cup perspective, it seems like Hardik Pandya should bowl six to eight overs. If he can do that, the team’s balance will become good. Then you can go with two fast bowlers, especially if you are playing in Lucknow or Chennai, where you will need more spin.”
“He picked up a wicket as well, dismissed Kyle Mayers, and was bowling decently too, but he bowled only three overs. Whether he bowls three overs here or in the IPL – he was doing that. So in my opinion, it was not a major discovery, that can Hardik Pandya bowl six to seven overs?”
The Rohit Sharma-led team will take on the Shai Hope-led team in the second ODI at the same venue on Saturday, July 29. The Men in Blue will be hoping to secure the series before the final match.
Also read: IND vs WI: “We Came To Know Why The West Indies Did Not Qualify For The World Cup” – Aakash Chopra
