Aakash Chopra has provided his insights on the Indian cricket team’s squad for the upcoming T20 series against Zimbabwe. The Indian team is set to play a five T20 match series in Harare, starting from July 6.
The BCCI has announced the 15-man squad, appointing the opening batsman Shubman Gill as the captain. Aakash Chopra noted that the squad includes all cricketers from the reserves of the T20 World Cup 2024 squad but surprisingly excludes star spinner Yuzvendra Chahal.
India’s squad for T20I series against Zimbabwe
Shubman Gill (c), Yashasvi Jaiswal, Ruturaj Gaikwad, Abhishek Sharma, Rinku Singh, Sanju Samson (WK), Dhruv Jurel (WK), Nitish Reddy, Riyan Parag, Washington Sundar, Ravi Bishnoi, Avesh Khan, Khaleel Ahmed, Mukesh Kumar, Tushar Deshpande.
Chopra emphasized that despite Chahal not playing a single match in the T20 World Cup, he has been left out of the squad. He also noted the inclusion of Yashasvi Jaiswal, who is part of the World Cup squad, and reserves players like Rinku Singh and Khaleel Ahmed. “It’s clear that guys who haven’t got a chance to play in the World Cup are here. However, interestingly, Yuzi Chahal is not there,” Chopra remarked.
He further highlighted the absence of Varun Chakaravarthy, who had an impressive IPL season, and mentioned Chakaravarthy’s frustration expressed on social media. “Interestingly, they have kept only two spinners. Neither Yuzi Chahal nor Varun Chakaravarthy is there. Varun Chakaravarthy had a very good IPL. He has even put an Instagram story – ‘I wish I had a paid PR agency’. That hurts,” Chopra added.
Chopra noted that Washington Sundar and Ravi Bishnoi are the only spinners included in the squad, indicating the selectors’ preference. The upcoming series will be a significant opportunity for Gill, along with Jaiswal, Ruturaj Gaikwad, and Abhishek Sharma, to cement their positions as opening batters. Additionally, the team will need to choose between Sanju Samson and Dhruv Jurel for the wicket-keeper batter role.
