India vs Australia: Aakash Chopra Raises ‘Big Question’ on Opening Partnership for T20I Series
After the heartbreaking loss in the final of the ODI Cricket World Cup 2023, Team India is gearing up to face Australia once again in a five-match T20I series. The first match is scheduled to take place on Wednesday in Visakhapatnam, with Suryakumar Yadav leading the home team. With most senior players being rested, Ruturaj Gaikwad, Ishan Kishan, and Rinku Singh have been included in the squad. Former India batter Aakash Chopra believes that this series will be crucial for players to secure their spots in the team ahead of the T20 World Cup next year.
Chopra highlighted the presence of three talented openers in the squad and expressed his curiosity about who among Gaikwad, Jaiswal, and Kishan will prove to be the better option for the team. He emphasized the significance of this series, stating that it is an opportunity for the players to impress the selectors and solidify their positions in the World Cup squad.
“The World Cup team needs to be selected, so this is an opportunity for you, and you won’t get too many chances because you don’t have 25 T20Is before the next World Cup. It’s good if you make the most of these chances, and consolidate your place, or else you will regret it,” said Chopra on his YouTube Channel.
He added, “This series is important if you see it from that angle. It’s going to be a big question who will open among the three openers – Ishan Kishan, Ruturaj Gaikwad, and Yashasvi Jaiswal. It could be a make-or-break series for any of the three or all three.”
Suryakumar Yadav has been appointed as the captain, with Ruturaj Gaikwad as his deputy for the first three T20Is. Shreyas Iyer will join the squad for the last two T20Is in Raipur and Bengaluru, respectively, and will take over the role of vice-captain from Gaikwad.
The T20 World Cup is scheduled to be held next year in the West Indies and the United States of America.
