A depleted Indian team conceded the three-match T20I series against Sri Lanka by a 1-2 margin. Despite carrying more than sufficient players, they found it difficult to form a competitive XI. Although Krunal Pandya contracting with Covid-19 meant that he and each one of his eight close contacted players was unavailable for selection for India’s second game against Sri Lanka.

During Sri Lanka, India also managed to regroup their famed spin duo of Kuldeep Yadav and Yuzvendra Chahal during the ODI series and that produced more than decent results. Meanwhile, it was India’s young spinner Rahul Chahar who impressed former opener, Aakash Chopra the most as he reckoned that he reminded him of Rashid Khan at times. Rahul bagged three wickets in the final T20I and constantly troubled the Sri Lankan batters.

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In the latest video on his Youtube channel, Aakash Chopra said, “Rahul Chahar doesn’t play regularly in the Team India squad since Yuzvendra Chahal is the No. 1 leg-spinner. Ravindra Jadeja and Washington Sundar are also other spin options Team India has. Varun Chakravarthy is also trying to make a name as a mystery spinner. But Chahar has grabbed every opportunity that has come his way to play for Team India.”

He further elaborated, “Chahar bowls with a lot of confidence and is incisive and accurate. From his action, it seems like he is bowling a googly when he is actually delivering a leg-spinner. He has got this mystery about him and variations, which remind me a little about Rashid Khan. If he does well in the IPL, Team India will be tempted to play him in the T20 World Cup along with Chahal.”

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Talking about the combination of Kuldeep Yadav and Yuzvendra Chahal, Aakash Chopra said, “Don’t forget Kul-Cha. There was a reason they were playing together for Team India at one point in time. Both Kuldeep and Chahal made a major impact in the first two ODIs and were among the wickets as well. Kuldeep got an opportunity in the T20Is too and did not let the chance slip. There is a lesson for KKR in this.”