Former Indian cricketer Aakash Chopra has chimed in on the importance of having a backup opener in India’s side for the forthcoming Asia Cup. He also stated that the management would be hesitant to play without Abhishek Sharma.
Aakash Chopra commented on the paucity of options other than Abhishek and Sanju Samson during the T20I series that preceded the Champions Trophy.
“I don’t think anyone needs to go out. It’s important that you keep another opener with you. India didn’t pick a third opener (in the T20I series against England). They weren’t even thinking about who would open if either Abhishek Sharma or Sanju Samson loses form. If you don’t keep the third opener here, you will have to keep him in the World Cup,” stated Chopra in a video on his YouTube channel.
He also observed that playing both Samson and Gill in the XI would not be possible due to the team composition since Samson will likely play only as an opener while the middle-order is packed with Tilak Varma and Suryakumar Yadav.
“However, if Shubman Gill is the third opener, do you want to make him sit on the bench? If you don’t do that and play him in the XI, in whose place will you play him? If that player’s name is Sanju Samson, who will keep? That is the problem. You don’t see Sanju Samson batting in the middle-order. Suryakumar Yadav and Tilak Varma will play at No. 3 and No. 4. Sanju at No. 5? That won’t be a good story,” he added.
The cricketer-turned-commentator also offered his take on why Samson and Gill might not be a part of the Asia Cup squad.
“Getting out five consecutive times against the short ball against England goes against Sanju. What goes against Shubman? If you want to make a destructive team, can Shubman Gill become a part of that DNA? That is the big question. Yashasvi Jaiswal can definitely become a part of that DNA, but are they thinking about Yashasvi?” remarked Chopra.
India are placed in Group A of the Asia Cup 2025 along with Pakistan, Oman and the United Arab Emirates. The tournament is scheduled to get underway on September 9 next month.
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