IND vs WI: Aakash Chopra Picks India's Playing XI For First ODI vs West Indies, Drops Kuldeep Yadav

Former Indian opener Aakash Chopra has picked his ideal playing XI for the first ODI against West Indies. The Windies will be touring India for a three-match ODI series to be played in Ahmedabad. The matches will be played on February 6-9. The T20Is will be played in Kolkata from February 16-20.

After BCCI announced the original squad two more players were added into the squad as replacements. Mayank Agarwal and Ishan Kishan were added in place of a few players including Shreyas Iyer and Shikhar Dhawan amongst others who contracted the Covid virus.

Among the batsmen, Aakash Chopra has decided to go with Rohit Sharma and Mayank Agarwal as openers with Virat Kohli, Rishabh Pant and Suryakumar Yadav forming the middle-order. KL Rahul is missing from the first game due to his sister’s marriage.

With no Venkatesh Iyer for the ODIs, Chopra decided to go with Deepak Hooda. He is very much in line to get his maiden ODI Cap in the first ODI. The former Indian opener chose Washington Sundar as the other all-rounder.

Coming down to the bowlers, Aakash Chopra picked a formidable attack with Yuzvendra Chahal as his first-choice spinner. He axed Kuldeep Yadav in the process and reasoned continuity behind sticking with the leg spinner. Mohammed Siraj, Deepak Chahar and Prasidh Krishna were his three pacers. Interestingly, Chopra chose Krishna ahead of Shardul Thakur despite his all-round skills.

Aakash Chopra Picks Yuzvendra Chahal Over Kuldeep Yadav

Meanwhile, the first ODI between India and West Indies will mark the 1000th ODI for Team India. They become the first white-ball side to get to that landmark.

Sachin extended his best wishes to the team ahead of the special occasion and said that the entire nation should be proud of the achievement.

Sachin Tendulkar has been part of India's 200th, 300th, 400th, 500th, 600th, 700th and 800th ODI. India played their 100th ODI before Sachin's debut, 900th and now 1000th ODI after his retirement.

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“I want to say it is an achievement for all of us and the entire nation should be proud of this and hope Indian cricket continues to grow from strength to strength. I wish them all the very best for the coming series and especially for the 1000th ODI”, he said speaking on the 100MB app.

Aakash Chopra’s Playing XI For First ODI vs West Indies

Rohit Sharma (C), Mayank Agarwal, Virat Kohli, Rishabh Pant, Suryakumar Yadav, Deepak Hooda, Washington Sundar, Yuzvendra Chahal, Deepak Chahar, Mohammed Siraj, Prasidh Krishna

Also Read: Ishan Kishan Called Up For ODI Series Against West Indies Amid Covid Cases In Camp – Reports