Former India player turned veteran commentator Aakash Chopra has applauded Rohit Sharma for including a bowling option in the top six and using him effectively in the first T20I between India and Afghanistan as well. The Indian team restricted the visitors to 158/5 after asking them to bat first in Mohali on Thursday, January 11. Then they chased down the target with six wickets and 15 balls in hand as well.
In a video shared on his YouTube channel, Chopra said: “India played three spinners. I was slightly surprised as there were only two fast bowlers, and Shivam Dube with them. However, suddenly two things change when Rohit Sharma comes as a captain.”
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He further added, “Firstly, the Indian team plays an XI that has a bowler in the top six and that bowler gets a chance to bowl as well. He was brilliant. As soon as a wicket fell, he gave the next over to Shivam Dube. Shivam Dube dismissed Ibrahim Zadran in that over. Then he was stopped and was later brought from the other end to get another over out of the way. When he did that, it ensured that a lot of options were available in the end.”
Aakash Chopra also added that frontline bowlers, who were expensive on the day, weren’t required to bowl their full quota as well as Ravi Bishnoi, who went wicketless and bowled at an economy rate of 11.67, bowled only three overs on Thursday as well. However, he also questioned Rahmanullah Gurbaz (23 off 28) and Ibrahim Zadran’s batting approach during Afghanistan’s innings as well.
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“When Rahmanullah Gurbaz and Ibrahim Zadran will lock back and see their effort, they should be disappointed. Afghanistan played such a lengthy batting lineup, where Gulbadin Naib didn’t even get to bat,” Aakash Chopra concluded. “In such a case, either play another bowler but if you play so many all-rounders, it won’t work out if you make such a slow start and go at a run-a-ball. A little more intent and aggression was needed.”
