Former India player Aakash Chopra has added that Varun Chakaravarthy’s addition to the Indian team’s squad for the ODI series against England made things tough for their choice of spinners in the playing XI. He showed hope that Kuldeep Yadav is not left out for Chakaravarthy in the XI as well.

In a video shared on his YouTube channel ‘Aakash Chopra,’ he said, “What will happen to Jadeja or Axar Patel because Varun Chakaravarthy has come? If you have selected someone out of the blue, you will play him, there is no doubt about that. So if you play him, whom will you make sit out? I really hope it’s not Kuldeep. If both Kuldeep and Varun are playing, who will go out? Somebody will have to sit out, so who is that? Your batting will end at No. 7. Your No. 8 to No. 11 will be four bowlers. So at No. 7, only one finger-spinner all-rounder can play now.”

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On choosing one among Ravindra Jadeja, Axar Patel, and Washington Sundar, Aakash Chopra stated that England don’t have too many lefthanders in their batting order as well.

“It will be either Jaddu, Axar or Washi. When you see the opposing team, you don’t see left-handers. You see Ben Duckett at the top and Jacob Bethell later, all the rest are right-handers. (Joe) Root has also come back now. Phil Salt scored runs in the last match and (Jos) Buttler scored runs earlier. Liam Livingstone will perhaps play slightly better,” he said.

“It’s a day game (if England bat first), so Harry Brook might see the ball better. He might be able to play Varun Chakaravarthy. I feel a left-arm spinner will play. Washi is not playing. So who between Axar and Jadeja? It’s a very important decision as it will tell you who is ahead for the Champions Trophy. I think it will be Axar and Jaddu won’t be there,” Aakash Chopra concluded.