In India’s starting XI for the fourth Twenty20 International against New Zealand on Wednesday, January 28, Aakash Chopra was perplexed as to why Arshdeep Singh, rather than Shreyas Iyer, took Ishan Kishan’s position due to injury. After returning to the Indian T20I setup for the first time in over two years, Kishan had been playing well. However, he was sidelined for the fourth T20I due to a niggle.
The Gautam Gambhir-led team management surprised everyone by adding fast bowler Arshdeep Singh to the lineup, even though fans and experts were expecting veteran batsman Shreyas Iyer to get a look in. Although he was not included in the original squad, Shreyas was brought in to replace Tilak Varma, who was injured.
In the fourth Twenty20 International, India was bowled out for 165 while chasing a goal of 215 runs on Wednesday because they were a batter short.
“My biggest point is, why have you kept Shreyas Iyer in the team?” said former Indian opener Aakash Chopra, who said that the Men in Blue should have chosen less experienced players like Shahbaz Ahmed or Ayush Badoni if they had no intention of playing Shreyas in the series. I was the one who suggested that Shreyas shouldn’t participate because his name wasn’t on the World Cup roster when Tilak Varma was hurt. On his YouTube channel, Chopra stated, “But you had no other batter sitting outside when Ishan Kishan got hurt.
Shreyas wasn’t in the original plans, but we cannot play with six batters and five proper bowlers, with Harshit Rana at No. 7.” Why is Shreyas Iyer being made to sit out now, I dare ask? You could have kept Shahbaz Ahmed or Ayush Badoni if you didn’t want to play him. He went on, “You could have kept four other names, but I can take them.”
Let it happen if you think there will be a social media frenzy if he scores runs during a game: Chopra
According to Chopra, the management of the Indian squad shouldn’t be concerned if there is a commotion following Shreyas’ successful batsmanship. “This was the opportunity where you should have played him,” he said, advising them to always follow their plans. Let it happen if you think there will be a social media frenzy if he scores runs during a game. Playing with at least seven batters is your responsibility. At number eight, you need an all-around player. At the very least, don’t alter that philosophy,” he urged.
Shreyas Iyer should not be kept on the bench, according to the former cricket player who is now a commentator.
“Don’t make Shreyas Iyer sit out like this,” he said, even urging the think tank to release Shreyas if they weren’t prepared to give him an opportunity and let him play elsewhere. I believe that benching him was a grave mistake. Send him home if you’ve made the decision to make him sit out. Go ahead and let him play something else. “I don’t see why he would be here,” Chopra said.
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