IND vs SL: Aakash Chopra Speaks About Ravindra Jadeja's Batting Position Ahead Of Dharmasala T20I

The scenic stadium in Dharmasala is all set to host the second T20I between India and Sri Lanka. The hosts are leading the series 1-0 after their comprehensive victory in the first T20I in Lucknow. Former Indian cricketer Aakash Chopra while previewing the second T20I spoke about the likely batting order for India.

Taking to his Youtube channel, Aakash Chopra said that the management needs to focus particularly on where they would want to bat Ravindra Jadeja in the lineup. He further said that he expects Ishan Kishan to open the batting with Rohit Sharma followed by Shreyas Iyer at three, Sanju Samson at four.

“Rohit Sharma is going to open with Ishan Kishan. Ishan Kishan has got the form, so the expectation is that he will play in the same fashion. At No.3, you will find Shreyas Iyer and then Sanju Samson. They had sent Jaddu up the order, but will you always do that? That’s a question that they might need to ask,” said Chopra.

Ravindra Jadeja was promoted to number four in the first game as Samson despite being included in the XI did not get his chance with the bat and so did Deepak Hooda, who made his India debut. Chopra said Hooda should be given a consistent run in the middle order so that he gets a few chances with the bat and proves his potential in the process.

“Stick with Deepak Hooda, why do you want to make a change in the team? If you have played Hooda, make him bat slightly up the order because if he doesn’t bat, he won’t be able to make his place in the Indian team based on bowling,” said Chopra on Hooda.

The former Indian opener also kept his opinion on Venkatesh Iyer as a death bowling option in the final overs. He bowled a spell of 2 for 36 in three overs with one of them being a 20-run over at the death.

Venkatesh Iyer Is A Work In Progress : Aakash Chopra

“One thing was clear in the last match that although Venkatesh Iyer is bowling, I don’t think he can give three or four overs at any stage in T20 cricket, it is still a work in progress. He was bowling to Dushmantha Chameera and still conceded 20 runs in the over,” Chopra said on Iyer.

India will play back-to-back T20Is against Sri Lanka in Dharmasala on Saturday (February 26) and Sunday (February 27).

Also Read: IND vs SL: Ravichandran Ashwin On Track For Being Match Fit For The First Test vs Sri Lanka