IND vs SA: India Becomes A Very Weak Team – Aakash Chopra After KL Rahul Ruled Out Of T20I Series

Cricketer-turned-commentator Aakash Chopra believes the Indian team has become weaker after KL Rahul’s injury for the South Africa T20Is.

On the eve of the five-match T20I series opener, India suffered twin blows as opener Rahul and spin bowler Kuldeep Yadav were ruled out due to injuries.

Rishabh Pant to lead India after KL Rahul got injured

Rahul was initially named captain of the 18-member squad in regular skipper Rohit Sharma’s absence. However, the Karnataka player suffered a right groin injury before the series could kick-off.

Kuldeep was also injured while batting in a training session. Pant, who was appointed Rahul’s deputy for the five-match series, was elevated in the captain’s role with Hardik as his deputy.

The BCCI has already rested senior players like Rohit Sharma, Virat Kohli, Ravindra Jadeja, Jasprit Bumrah and Mohammed Shami for the five T20Is against the Proteas.

India becomes a very weak team: Aakash Chopra

Chopra said India seems weak against Temba Bavuma-led South Africa after the latest developments. The former Indian player was also shocked that Rahul and Kuldeep’s injury replacements were not named.

“KL Rahul is not there. He is injured and not available for the five-match series. Everyone’s plans have been derailed including India because if Rohit, Kohli, Bumrah and Rahul are not there, then not slightly, it becomes a very weak team,” Chopra said on his YouTube channel.

“We didn’t get the enjoyment, there were great expectations from KL Rahul, the discussion points would have been different if he had played. Kuldeep is also injured and he is also out of the series, he got injured while batting practice in the nets.

“India has not asked for options for the two players who have gotten injured, no replacement has been announced as of now. Only the captain has been changed, Rishabh Pant is the new captain, Hardik Pandya is the vice-captain,” he added.

The first of the five T20 Internationals starts on Thursday (June 9) at the Arun Jaitley Stadium in Delhi.

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