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Former India opener Aakash Chopra criticized the decision to promote Axar Patel to No. 3 in the batting order for the second T20I against South Africa. According to Chopra, the move made little sense and only made things tougher for the side as Shivam Dube had to bat at No. 8, coming in when the game was all but over.
South Africa thumped India by 51 runs in the second T20I in Mullanpur on Thursday, December 11. Asked to bat first, the Proteas posted an impressive total of 213-4 as Quinton de Kock hammered 90 off 46 balls. In the chase, India were bowled out for 162 in 19.1 overs. After the hosts lost Shubman Gill for a golden duck, Axar was sent in at No. 3. He struggled and ended up scoring 21 off 21.
Speaking on ESPNcricinfo, Chopra questioned the logic behind Axar‘s promotion in the batting order, especially when the team was chasing a huge target. He said:
“It does not make a lot of sense to me. If you are chasing 213, you really need to start strongly and just keep hitting. In the end, he ended up playing 21 balls. By the time Shivam Dube came out to bat, there were only 13 balls left. Dube at No. 8, that’s not right. It should have been Axar there, Dube promoted. Not at three, but should not be batting at No. 8 for sure.”
Tilak Varma top-scored for India in the chase with 62 off 34 balls. His fighting knock featured two fours and five sixes. Keeper-batter Jitesh Sharma chipped in with a cameo of 27 from 17 balls.
Aakash Chopra criticizes Team India’s bowling effort in Mullanpur T20I
Before India’s batting faltered, their bowlers also had an off day. Arshdeep Singh registered figures of 0-54 from his four overs, which included nine wides – seven of them coming in one over. For a change, Jasprit Bumrah also struggled and finished with 0-45 from his four. Hardik Pandya bowled three overs in which he was taken for 34 runs.
Reflecting on India’s bowling, Chopra admitted that it was a poor effort. He also pinpointed the fact that the hosts leaked nearly 50 runs in the last three overs. Asked whether India’s bowling or batting cost them the second T20I, Chopra said:
“Difficult to pick one, but India leaking 49 in the last three courtesy a lot of full tosses – I think as many as 13 full tosses. Also, [there were] 16 wides. I think that took the total to 213. Again, it can be chased down, provided you get a good start. That did not happen either.”
With the five-match series tied 1-1, both teams will have everything to play for in the third T20I at the Himachal Pradesh Cricket Association Stadium in Dharamsala on December 14.
Edited by Renin Wilben Albert
