Former India cricketer turned commentator Aakash Chopra has questioned whether the multi-day format was considered seriously enough while picking the India A squad for the upcoming series against Australia A. He added that the selectors’ entire focus was on the One-day series between the two teams as well. However, India A will take on Australia A in two Multi-day games in Puducherry from September 22 onwards. The two sides will then play a three-match One-day series at the same venue as well.
In a video shared on his YouTube channel, ‘Aakash Chopra,’ he said, “The India A team has been selected for One-day and Multi-day formats against Australia A. Sai Sudharsan and Devdutt Padikkal are in the Multi-day format squad, but what about the rest of the team? That’s raising a few eyebrows. It seems like the entire focus was on One-day. It seems like the days’ format wasn’t taken that seriously, although our No. 3 players, Devdutt Padikkal and Sai Sudharsan, have been made captain and vice-captain, respectively.”
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“They are saying they can compete with each other. Their names are in the One-day squad as well, but here they are the captain and vice-captain. Only one guy can play at No. 3. Devdutt Padikkal is the captain. He will play at No. 3. Sai Sudharsan will have to bat up or down the order,” he added.
However, Aakash Chopra also stated that India A has a Mumbai-heavy bowling lineup comprising Shams Mulani, Tanush Kotian, and Tushar Deshpande as well.
“This team has Aman Mokhade, Ayush Pandey, Devdutt Padikkal, Sai Sudharsan, Yash Rathod, Shaik Rasheed, Kumar Kushagra, Shams Mulani, Tanush Kotian, and Tushar Deshpande. You are seeing a fair representation of Mumbai. Anshul Kamboj is a part of the Multi-day squad. Then Praful Hinge from Vidarbha. He has picked up a lot of wickets. Narayan Jagadeesan is the wicketkeeper, Nachiket Bhute, and there is a star after Vijaykumar Vyshak’s name, which means subject to fitness clearance. It’s a short series, but many Indian players will get opportunities,” he concluded.
