Aakash Chopra questions Rajasthan Royals’ tactics of releasing Yuzvendra Chahal and Ravichandran Ashwin

Former Indian Test opener Aakash Chopra has questioned Rajasthan Royals’ tactics of releasing Yuzvendra Chahal and Ravichandran Ashwin. Rajasthan Royals had retained Sanju Samson, Yashasvi Jaiswal, Riyan Parag, Sandeep Sharma, Dhruv Jurel and Shimron Hetmyer ahead of the auction and also decided to not retain Jos Buttler

While Yuzvendra Chahal was bagged by Punjab Kings for INR 18 crore, Ravichandran Ashwin was bought by Chennai Super Kings for INR 9.75 crore at the IPL 2025 auction. Chahal is the leading wicket-taker in IPL history with 205 scalps.

Meanwhile, the inaugural IPL champions bought Wanindu Hasaranga and Maheesh Theekshana for INR 5.25 crore and INR 4.40 crore respectively.

“They have managed the lower-order issue they had, but they had Yuzi Chahal and Ravichandran Ashwin. You had arguably the best possible spin twin available with you but you let both go. You didn’t retain either of them, and that means you had to go shopping,” Aakash Chopra said on his YouTube Channel.

The renowned commentator highlighted that the Sri Lankan spinners, which RR has bought, are not at par with overseas spinners like Sunil Narine and Rashid Khan.

“They picked overseas spinners – Wanindu Hasaranga and Maheesh Theekshana. I am thinking that the Jaipur ground, the Sawai Mansingh Stadium, might actually suit them. It’s a big ground, but two overseas spinners, unless their names are Sunil Narine and Rashid Khan. So you think twice if this tactic is right,” he observed.

The cricket analyst also noted that no spinner has been injured as often as Wanindu Hasaranga and thus his selection is a bit risky.

“It’s fine if you keep overseas fast bowling at times. However, you went with both overseas spinners, of which one is extremely injury-prone. Wanindu Hasaranga has missed a lot of cricket because of injuries. I think no spinner has been more injured than him and he is an integral part of their team, because none of the top six bowls, if you leave aside Riyan Parag’s bowling,” he said.

Chopra feels RR’s spin attack could be an issue if Hasaranga doesn’t remain fit as Kumar Kartikeya didn’t get to play even a solitary match for Mumbai Indians.

“It’s extremely necessary for Wanindu Hasaranga to remain fit and available. Still the question mark remains that you have just two overseas spinners, and then you have got Kumar Kartikeya, who didn’t play or bowl last year. If this is your spin attack, I feel there is an issue,” Chopra observed.

The IPL 2025 will begin on March 14 with the final to be played on May 25.