Aakash Chopra opines on Tripathi and Samson’s chances in Playing XI for Ireland series

On June 15 (Wednesday), The All India Senior Selection Committee announced the 17-man squad for the 2-match T20I series against Ireland. 

One of the most promising batters in the country, Rahul Tripathi, finally received a national call-up. 

He had shot into the limelight by helping Rising Pune Supergiants reach the finals of the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2017 edition. Tripathi has been consistent in the domestic circuit and the subsequent edition of the IPL. 

In the 2022 season, the 31-year-old scored 413 runs in 14 innings at a strike rate of 158.23, which certainly impressed the selectors. 

On the other hand, Rajasthan Royals captain Sanju Samson also played well to accumulate 458 runs in the 2022 edition and is making a national comeback in this series. He last featured for India against Sri Lanka earlier this year and scored 18 off 12 balls. 

Former cricketer turned commentator Aakash Chopra has now asked a critical question regarding the replacement of Pant for the T20I series, as he will be joining the Test squad for a one-off red-ball match against England. 

Chopra thinks Suryakumar Yadav will bat at number three and puts three options for the number four slot in the form of Samson, Tripathi, and Deepak Hooda. 

"When Pant isn't there (at no 4), the big question is who will replace him? Will it be Sanju Samson or Deepak Hooda, or Rahul Tripathi? Sky has the third spot, opener's slots are covered by Ishan and Ruturaj," Chopra said on his YouTube channel. 

He added that Hooda deserves a place in the Playing XI and can bat at number four or five. However, in the ongoing T20I series against South Africa, the Rohtak-born batter has not got an opportunity, despite scoring 451 runs in 15 innings of IPL 2022. 

"If we go by the pegging order, Deepak Hooda deserves the fourth spot. I will be thinking they should play Hooda, even at no five. Pandya can bat at No 4," Chopra added. 

In the end, the 44-year-old reckons that Tripathi and Samson might not get a chance, as the series consists of only 2 T20Is, and not many changes are expected in the lineup. 

"When looking from this perspective, doesn't look like Tripathi will get a chance, nor will Samson. There are just two T20Is - how many changes can you expect? 

"I'm not a 100 per cent certain if they will get a chance (to play). But if they do play Samson/Tripathi, then Hooda may ask why he's being picked if there's no place for him in the eleven," Chopra concluded. 

The 2-match T20I series will be played on June 26 and 28 in Malahide, Dublin. It will serve as an essential opportunity to test the bench strength of the Indian team ahead of the T20 World Cup scheduled later in the year.