Ex-Opener Expresses Shock Over SKY's Demotion in Chennai ODI


image-lfkzn8w9Suryakumar Yadav recorded three consecutive ducks vs Australia [Source: Twitter]

Former cricketer turned commentator Aakash Chopra recently expressed his doubts about Team India's decision to have Suryakumar Yadav bat at number seven during the third and final ODI against Australia in Chennai on Wednesday.

In the series-deciding third ODI against Australia, Team India chose to bowl first after winning the toss, restricting the visitors to a total of 269. However, despite some changes in their batting order, including dropping Suryakumar Yadav down to No. 7, the hosts were all out for 248 and lost the game by 21 runs.

After the match, Chopra revealed that he was shocked at Yadav's demotion, expressing his disappointment with the team management for not backing him to bat at his regular position.

"Surya came at No. 7, I mean, seriously. It was slightly beyond my understanding. If you are saying you have faith in him, then show faith. This is not faith that you want to play him but will send him at No. 7,"said Chopra in a YouTube video on his channel.

Despite, Virat Kohli smashing 54 runs and Hardik Pandya's heroics with both bath and the ball, India failed to win the decider. 

So, the ex-opener also scrutinised Rohit Sharma and Shubman Gill for not converting their starts into match-winning knocks.

"India started in an explosive fashion. Rohit Sharma was running at a strike rate of 200 at one stage. Absolutely all guns blazing but got out after scoring 30 runs off 17 balls. Shubman Gill, who was playing well, scored 37,"he concluded.