Aakash Chopra questions non-availability of senior players in SA T20Is

Former India cricketer Aakash Chopra has raised questions about whether the Indian team will be able to find their perfect playing XI for the ICC T20 World Cup during the T20I series against South Africa. The five-match T20I series will begin on June 9 in Delhi.

The Indian selectors announced an 18-member squad for the series, with KL Rahul as the skipper. Senior players such as the likes of Virat Kohli, Rohit Sharma, and Jasprit Bumrah have been rested for the upcoming series. In a video shared on his YouTube channel, Aakash Chopra spoke about the T20I series.

The former cricketer raised the question of whether India will find the answers regarding the World Cup squad as the senior players are missing. He said:

“You are trying to tick the boxes but how many things will you be able to find out because Rohit, Kohli, Bumrah, and Jadeja are not there. All these people will come back when you prepare the team for the World Cup. So do you actually get to know what you want to know? That’s the big question.”

Aakash Chopra further pointed out that Ishan Kishan and Ruturaj Gaikwad will be fighting for the spot. However, Rohit Sharma and KL Rahul are likely to open the innings for India in the World Cup. He reasoned:

“The big question which is always there is who will be India’s openers. But is there a question there? Rahul and Rohit are there in any case. You will give a chance to one out of Ishan or Ruturaj but whoever plays here, once Rohit comes, they will have to vacate the spot in any case.

Aakash Chopra on IND vs SA T20I series: You won’t know much because Bumrah and Shami are not playing in this series

Aakash Chopra named Rishabh Pant, Dinesh Karthik, and Shreyas Iyer as players who will be watched closely in the series ahead of the World Cup. He expressed that both Rishabh Pant and Dinesh Karthik may feature in the playing XI. Aakash said,