Aakash reveals his IND playing XI (Source: @Kushacritic/x.com, @cricketaakash/x.com)
After a month, Team India is back in their ODI assignments as a thrilling three-match ODI series against South Africa is knocking on the door. With the first clash set for November 30, debates are heating up over the perfect playing XI for the Men in Blue.
Despite some injury setbacks, Team India has plenty of options to make a strong XI. Ahead of the clash against South Africa, former India batter Aakash Chopra has revealed his ideal playing XI.
Chopra backs Yashasvi to open with Rohit Sharma
During the recently ended Test series against South Africa, skipper Shubman Gill sustained a neck injury and was ruled out of the ODI series too. With Rohit Sharma's arrival, another opening spot is still vacant. With Ruturaj Gaikwad and Yashasvi Jaiswal in the lineup, Aakash Chopra backed Jaiswal to open the innings with Hitman.
Speaking on his YouTube channel, the former Indian batter put Jaiswal ahead of Ruturaj. He insisted on a perfect right-left combo, wanting Rohit and Yashasvi to fire up the opening for Team India.
“In my opinion, Yashasvi Jaiswal will be seen with Rohit Sharma as opener for two reasons. First is the left-hand and right-hand combination, and also in the pecking order, Yashasvi is a bit ahead of Ruturaj Gaikwad,” Chopra said.
Aakash Chopra picks Pant ahead of Tilak Varma
After August 2024, Rishabh Pant has been out of India's ODI plans for a long time. Despite being in the Champions Trophy squad, he warmed the bench and has now been included in the ODI squad against South Africa. With KL Rahul set to keep wickets, fans are left guessing if Pant will get a chance against South Africa.
For the middle order, Tilak Varma is expected to get the nod, but Aakash Chopra walked on a different path. Instead of Tilak, he's thrown his support behind Rishabh Pant for the No. 5 role.
“I will keep Pant at number five. And if you are thinking, 'Why not Tilak Varma?' then let me remind you that Pant was a part of the team that won the Champions Trophy. If he was a part of the team back then, he should be kept now as well because he will be getting a chance this time,” he added.
Aakash Chopra reveals India’s perfect XI
Predicting the perfect playing XI for the Indian side, Aakash Chopra came up with some surprises. Picking Jaiswal to open with Rohit and choosing Pant over Tilak already shocked fans, but he wasn't done yet. Nitish Reddy found her place in Chopra's playing XI while Harshit Rana and Arshdeep Singh were picked to lead the pace attack, leaving the spin duties to Jadeja, Sundar, and Kuldeep.
