IND vs SA: "You Will Regret Later" - Aakash Chopra On Selectors Picking 18-member India Squad For T20I Series Vs South Africa

Aakash Chopra has scrutinized the selectors’ choice to pick an 18-member squad for India’s forthcoming T20I series against South Africa.

India will take on the Proteas in a five-match T20I series, with the first game to be played at the Arun Jaitley Stadium in Delhi on June 9. KL Rahul will commander the Indian group, with Rohit Sharma being offered a reprieve.

You Will Not Be Able To Give A Chance To Everyone: Aakash Chopra

In a video shared on his YouTube channel, Aakash Chopra figured that the selection of such an immense squad could prove counterproductive. He reasoned:

“An 18-member team has been selected, and the story in that is that five fast bowlers and four spinners are included. When you select 18 players, you will not be able to give a chance to everyone, and then you will regret later, that what have you done, you had options, but you have not really tried anyone.”

The cricketer-turned-commentator feels the strength of the squad can be diminished, taking into account the fading COVID-19 cases. Chopra observed:

“You used to select a big squad in Covid times; I am not saying that Covid has left, but we can go back to a semblance of normalcy. This has been going on for the last two to two and a half years, still there is no change in the strength of the squad; it feels a little disappointing.”

The selectors could have picked an 18-member squad to stay away from any last-minute issues. The likes of KL Rahul, Rishabh Pant, and Shreyas Iyer could be rested for the last two or three games in front of the Test series against England.

Aakash Chopra Uncertain Of Dinesh Karthik And Ravi Bishnoi Getting A Chance In Playing 11

While seeing that Dinesh Karthik and Hardik Pandya are fundamental incorporations, Aakash Chopra was uncertain of Karthik getting a spot in the playing XI. He elaborated:

“Dinesh Karthik and Hardik Pandya – they are two very important members who have been included in this team. Dinesh Karthik is coming back after a while, and he has been selected based on IPL performances. But will he get a chance to play, I am not a 100% certain to be very honest.”

The 44-year-old feels Ravi Bishnoi is likewise improbable to get a game considering the plenty of spin bowling choices. Aakash Chopra said:

“Hardik Pandya has come; Venkatesh Iyer is there as his backup. Dinesh Karthik is there as a backup for Rishabh Pant. There are four spinners – three wrist-spinners and a finger spinner. Bishnoi is still a part of the team, whether he will get to play, I have serious doubts.”

Yuzvendra Chahal and Axar Patel are probably going to be the favored spinners in the playing XI. Kuldeep Yadav could pip Bishnoi as the third spinner in the event that the team selects to go with a spin-heavy attack.

Also Read: IPL 2022: Ravi Shastri Believes Pressures Of Captaincy’ May Have Cost Mayank Agarwal A Spot In India’s Squad