Aakash Chopra Picks India’s Playing XI For South Africa Match, Wants Axar Patel Back

Aakash Chopra picked India’s playing XI for the Super 8 match against South Africa, bringing Axar Patel back and ruling out a Sanju Samson inclusion.

Former India batter Aakash Chopra has suggested changes to India’s lineup ahead of the Super 8 match against South Africa on February 22 at the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad. He believes Axar Patel should return to the playing XI to strengthen the balance.

Chopra supported the team management’s decision to avoid including Sanju Samson. He also pointed out that replacing Abhishek Sharma, Tilak Varma, or Ishan Kishan would unsettle the combination.

Chopra then suggested Hardik Pandya at No. 5, Shivam Dube at No. 6, and Rinku Singh at No. 7. Axar Patel would follow to add depth with both bat and ball.

“Suryakumar Yadav was asked whether we would see Sanju Samson playing. He asked who he should drop, Abhishek Sharma, Tilak Varma or Ishan Kishan? So he has ruled it out completely, and it makes a lot of sense. You won’t be able to build a team if you keep flip-flopping so quickly,” Chopra said.

“So will there be no change in the XI? No, it will be there because a change should be made. Bring Bapu back. He is your team’s vice-captain. So Ishan Kishan with Abhishek Sharma, Tilak Varma after that, and Suryakumar Yadav at No. 4, or else Surya can go at No. 3, and Tilak can go at No. 4. You can do this thing for sure if you want to maintain the left-right balance,” he continued.

“If Tilak is at No. 4, Hardik Pandya can come at No. 5, and then you can keep Shivam Dube at No. 6. You will have to bring Rinku Singh at No. 7. You don’t have many options left there, and then followed by Axar Patel, or else you can use Axar Patel slightly better,” Chopra added.

READ ALSO | ‘You Want Me To Drop Tilak Varma?’ Suryakumar Yadav Dismisses Samson Debate

Furthermore, Aakash Chopra picked Varun Chakaravarthy, Jasprit Bumrah and Arshdeep Singh as India’s specialist bowlers.

“One left-hander goes and another left-hander comes. However, I want Axar to definitely play this game. After him, Varun Chakaravarthy, Jasprit Bumrah and Arshdeep Singh. Play Arshdeep Singh for sure. Don’t think about doing something else,” he concluded.

Aakash Chopra’s India’s Playing XI against South Africa

Ishan Kishan, Abhishek Sharma, Tilak Varma, Suryakumar Yadav, Hardik Pandya, Shivam Dube, Rinku Singh, Axar Patel, Varun Chakaravarthy, Jasprit Bumrah, Arshdeep Singh