(Image source: X.com)
[Saba Sports News] Former India cricketer Aakash Chopra has raised questions about the BCCI selection committee, which recently named a 17-member squad for the upcoming three-match T20I series against South Africa, starting on December 10 in Durban.
In the absence of captain Hardik Pandya, who is recovering from an ankle injury, the selection panel, led by Ajit Agarkar, appointed Suryakumar Yadav as the skipper for the T20I side. Notable inclusions in the squad are Shubman Gill, Kuldeep Yadav, Mohammed Siraj and Ravindra Jadeja, who were given rest during the Australia series, but are all set for the Proteas challenge.
However, Chopra expressed his concerns about the squad size, questioning the need for a 17-member contingent for just three games. He highlighted the challenge of selecting the playing XI from a pool of talented players, including Tilak Varma, Rinku Singh, Shreyas Iyer and Ishan Kishan, suggesting that at least four players may not get a chance to play any match in the series.
“Suryakumar Yadav is the captain here, which is fair. Ravindra Jadeja is the vice-captain of this team. It is an interesting development. A 17-member team has been announced. 17 people for three games-why?” Chopra said as quoted on his YouTube channel.
“Then Tilak Varma, Suryakumar Yadav, Rinku Singh, Shreyas Iyer and Ishan Kishan. All of them cannot play. So it will be interesting for whoever tries to make the XI from this. Ultimately, there will be at least four people who won’t get to play even a single match. So you have sent them for sure, but you won’t gain anything from that,” he added.
Chopra also pointed out the interesting dynamics of the batting order, with Yashasvi Jaiswal, Ruturaj Gaikwad and Shubman, all fighting from the opening spot.
“It is almost the same team that is playing vs Australia. Shubman Gill, Mohammed Siraj and Ravindra Jadeja have come in. It will be interesting to see who bats where because Yashasvi, Shubman and Ruturaj – all cannot open,” Chopra concluded.