Former Indian Test opener Aakash Chopra questioned Rajasthan Royals’ think tank after the inaugural champions suffered a 57-run win against Sunrisers Hyderabad at Hyderabad on Monday. Chopra raised questions regarding all-rounder Ravindra Jadeja’s utilization by RR.

The veteran off-spinner was not given the ball by RR skipper Riyan Parag. When Parag was asked about not giving the ball to Jadeja, he said it was a split second decision.

Furthermore, Jadeja batted at number six and scored 45 runs off 32 balls. The left-hander added 118 runs off 72 balls with Donovan Ferreira after RR were left reeling at 9-5.

“Donovan Ferreira played very well. So that’s good news, but what are they doing with Ravindra Jadeja? I am not 100 percent certain because they have made him bowl only seven overs thus far. They didn’t bowl him even one over in this match,” Aakash Chopra said on his YouTube Channel.

Chopra questioned Jadeja’s batting approach when the required run rate was more than 12.

“In batting, he was sent at No. 6 for sure, but he was batting slow. When 15 runs per over were required, you were playing at a strike rate of 140. Not a good look. 140 was actually in the end. He was playing even slower earlier. What is his role? He is not playing as a bowler and is not hitting as a batter. What exactly do RR want from him?” he observed.

Meanwhile, Chopra praised SRH skipper Ishan Kishan, who scored a match-winning knock of 91 runs off just 44 balls.

“Ishan Kishan’s runs, let’s not discount that at all, because he scored 80 in the first match as well. Here also, he almost reached a hundred, but again, a very, very impressive knock. In my opinion, although a lot of runs were scored, it was a slightly slow pitch. Batting was hard work on that pitch. The ball was not coming nicely onto the bat,” he said.

Rajasthan Royals will next take on Kolkata Knight Riders at Eden Gardens, Kolkata on Sunday.