IND vs BAN: “Too Much Rest Is Happening; If You Want Rest Take It In The IPL Or T20I” – Aakash Chopra On Team India

Former India National Cricket Team opening batsman Aakash Chopra feels that “too much rest is happening” in Indian cricket, which is the primary reason behind the Men In Blue’s struggle in recent times.

Rohit Sharma-led India faced a defeat in the first ODI against Bangladesh by 1 wicket and in the second ODI by 5 runs in Mirpur to concede the series 0-2. The inconsequential third ODI will be played at Zahur Ahmed Chowdhury Stadium in Chattogram on Saturday, December 10.

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Speaking on his official YouTube channel ahead of the third ODI, Aakash Chopra said that the players, if needed, should be given rest only during the Indian Premier League (IPL) or T20Is and not during ODIs because the 50-over Cricket World Cup is set to be played in 2023. He said:

“The first thing I understand is that too much rest is happening. In the last one to one-and-a-half years, too many players have taken a lot of rest many times. If you want rest take it in the IPL or T20I cricket but not in ODI cricket because this is the World Cup year.”

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The 45-year-old further highlighted the importance of playing cricket continuously to prepare well for the marquee tournaments. He elaborated:

“If you don’t play cricket together continuously, there is a question if you are able to prepare properly. This is not only with us, it happens with everyone. If you look at Australia, they said there was tiredness ahead of the World Cup, so they won’t play the full team, they couldn’t even qualify for the semi-finals.

“When we went to play the Asia Cup, our main players were coming out of the cold, they had not played cricket at all, everyone had taken a break. No one had gone to Zimbabwe – Rohit, Rahul and Kohli – none of our top three went.”

We were in Australia, but we still did not go to New Zealand – Aakash Chopra

The cricketer-turned-commentator further mentioned that the key India National Cricket Team players took a break after the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2022 and didn’t participate in the white-ball series in New Zealand. He said:

“This has not happened once, this is happening repeatedly. Your World Cup campaign was not great, we played only six matches in the six weeks we were in Australia, but we still did not go to New Zealand. New Zealand also played as many matches, because they also lost in the semi-finals, but their entire team played.”

Also, Aakash Chopra has urged the Indian team management to field a full-strength team in every ODI in the lead-up to the ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup 2023. He said:

“Now the 50-over World Cup is coming, you have 10 ODIs till the IPL, India’s A (best) team should play all those ODIs. Everyone who is fit and available should play. If we are serious about the 2023 World Cup, play the entire team wherever ODI cricket is happening, let’s not miss games.”

Also Read: IND vs BAN: “Passion Of Playing For The Country Is Missing” – Madan Lal Slams Team India

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