Former Indian Test opener Aakash Chopra has questioned the team’s tactics during the ODI series against Sri Lanka. Chopra reckons the number four batting slot has become a revolving door. India had three different batters at number four position in the recently concluded three-match ODI series against Sri Lanka, which they lost by 2-0.
Washington Sundar batted at number four in the opening ODI, Shivam Dube was asked by the management to bat at the same position in the second game whereas Rishabh Pant batted at four in the third and final match.
The trio failed to create any impact in the middle order, returning with a total of 11 runs between them in three innings. Chopra questioned the think tank’s call to push KL Rahul down the order in the first two ODIs.
Aakash Chopra said on his YouTube Channel, “No.4 has become a revolving door as we had a different No.4 in every game. Why do you need to push someone like KL Rahul down to No.6-7? Why don’t you fight from the front?”
KL Rahul has performed consistently for India in ODIs while batting at number five, Chopra said it will be interesting to the team’s stance on the wicket-keeper bat.
“India played KL Rahul for two games and then dropped him. It is interesting to think whether he is in their plans because from 2023 no one in the middle order has scored as many runs as him.”
Meanwhile, the renowned commentator noted that debutant Riyan Parag was a positive as the Assamese player bagged three wickets in the third game and looked confident with the bat before he failed to judge a ball, which was straight into his stumps.
“Riyan Parag was a positive as he picked up three wickets with the ball. He did well in the T20 series too and under Gautam Gambhir’s tenure it seems like this is one player he wants to invest in.”
India will next host Bangladesh for two Test matches and three T20Is.
