Aakash Chopra reveals his favourite ODI innings of 2017 for India

The cricketer-turned-commentator Aakash Chopra took to the micro-blogging website Twitter — to pick his favourite and best individual innings from India in the One-day Internationals while highly rating the recently registered double-hundred by an opening batsman Rohit Sharma against Sri Lanka in Mohali that subsequently stands at the top of the charts for the Delhi-based cricket expert.

“Bahut sari choices hain yaar (there are too many choices) I’m spoilt for the choices. Let’s start with the Rohit Sharma and the double century that he scored. Only Indian to do so in year 2017, so that will set right at the top of that list,” Chopra revealed in a two-minute 15-second video.

During the One-day International series which India won by 2-1, Rohit, who was leading his side as a stand-in skipper, in the absence of Kohli, further helped his side to win the day-night fixture by 141 runs when he remained unbeaten on 208 off 153 balls.

The right-handed batsman Rohit smashed 13 boundaries and 12 sixes during his little over three-and-half-hour stay at the crease.

“#BestOf2017 My favourite ODI innings by an INDIAN in 2017. #AakashVani Does your choice match mine?” Chopra tweeted with the video.

However, the 40-year-old former Indian cricketer Chopra stated the highlight of the year was Kedhar Jadhav’s knock when he overshadowed Virat Kohli in Pune against England.

“India was struggling when Kedhar Jadhav came to bat (at the home ground) while chasing a huge total – to overshadow Virat Kohli which does not happen quite often, but he did that. So, his innings will also be there,” Chopra maintained.

Known for his aggressive approach, the 32-year-old Jadhav smashed 76-ball 120 at his home ground at Maharashtra Cricket Association Stadium (MCA) in Pune which further saw hosts chased down the target of 351 in 48.1 overs, as Virat Kohli-led side won the match by three wickets with 11 balls to spare.

Jadhav smashed 12 boundaries and four sixes, as Kohli slammed 122 off 105 balls. His innings was comprised of eight boundaries and five sixes.

Chopra also termed Kohli’s Wankhede innings against New Zealand, which was held in October this year (2017), the best. The right-handed batsman managed to score 125-ball 121, before Tom Latham’s hard-fought century and Ross Taylor’s resilient show saw the visitors home by six wickets and six balls to spare when they chased down the target of 281 on the final ball of the penultimate over the second innings.

“I thought once again team under pressure so he [Virat Kohli] did well at Wankhede against New Zealand,” Chopra remarked.

Chopra also picked the magnificent centuries from middle-order batsman Yuvraj Singh and gloveman Mahendra Singh Dhoni when India was reeling at three for 25 in 4.4 overs 2nd ODI against England.

“So, did Yuvraj Singh… There was an early collapse… 150-odd runs in Cuttack against England and allowed India to post a huge total,” Chopra said.

Both senior campaigners forged the partnership of 256 runs for the fourth wicket in the second ODI at Cuttack on January 19, 2017; as India went on to win the match by 15 runs after posting the first innings total of 381.

“Regarding the partnership between Yuvraj and Dhoni, we all said: ‘Dhoni maar raha hai, Mahendra de dan danna dan Dhoni,” Chopra asserted.

Chopra further referred Yuvraj as ‘passionate’ and Dhoni as ‘full of content’ while reminiscing the innings.

The left-handed batsman Yuvraj, who was named Man of the Match, scored 150 off 127 balls and Dhoni scored 122-ball 124.

Yuvraj smashed 21 boundaries, and three sixes and Dhoni’s innings was comprised of 10 fours and six maximums.

Moreover, Chopra rated the supreme effort of Harmanpreet Kaur during the semi-final clash against Australia in the Women’s World Cup 2017 in England.

“When we are talking about Indians, I have to include Harmanpreet Kaur and the century (171*) at Derby. Well, that (innings) will take the cake,” Chopra further said.

The former opening batsman Chopra eventually sees it as the best by any Indian in any of the World Cups knock out fixtures while terming the batters innings was at her best owing to the control and commitment.

“It was not just the best innings by an Indian in 2017 in ODI cricket, but I think it was the best innings by an Indian in any World Cup knock out game and I am talking about a lot of players a lot of World Cups and I have never seen an innings like that so, Harmanpreet Kaur will take my vote,” Chopra signed off.

Between 2003 and 2004, Chopra played 10 Tests for India and he scored 437 runs in 19 innings at an average of 23. He has two fifties under his belt.

Here’s what Aakash Chopra said:

#BestOf2017 My favourite ODI innings by an INDIAN in 2017. #AakashVani Does your choice match mine? pic.twitter.com/Dl3bZvGAZP

— Aakash Chopra (@cricketaakash) December 29, 2017

Here’s what you could know more:

Know who scored most double-hundreds in ODI Cricket

Who recently became the second Indian skipper to smash the double hundred in 50-over format?

You could also get detailed news, analysis, stats and much more regarding India’s tour to South Africa right here:  South Vs. India 2018