Former India player turned veteran commentator Aakash Chopra has picked Virat Kohli before Babar Azam as the No. 3 batter in his India-Pakistan combined XI. The two arch-rivals will play against each other in the Asia Cup 2023 Group A clash in Pallekele on Saturday, September 2. While Pakistan head into the clash after a 238-run win against Nepal, it will be India’s tournament opener as well.
In a video shared on his YouTube channel, Chopra said: “I am Indian and I will be slightly biased. I am going to pick Rohit Sharma as my opener and as my captain. I am not taking Shubman Gill. I am split between Fakhar Zaman and Imam-ul-Haq. My mind tells me to go for Imam but my heart tells me to go with Zaman. So I am going with Zaman. I am saying let us score 350 runs. At No. 3, I have no doubt in my mind. You might have a doubt if you are watching from the other side of the border. The mountain of runs Virat Kohli has scored batting at No. 3, I hope India also gets him to bat there, but Virat Kohli is going to be in my team at No. 3 every day of the week.”
However, Aakash Chopra wants Babar Azam to follow Kohli to the crease as well. He also picked Mohammad Rizwan as the wicketkeeper-batter and said either Hardik Pandya or Iftikhar Ahmed can perform the batting all-rounder’s role as well.
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He said: “I have kept Babar Azam at No. 4 and there is no doubt that you will have to keep Babar Azam. He is that kind of a player. I am making him bat at No. 4. He plays at No. 3 for his team but if Virat is at No. 3, Babar might himself say he will play at No. 4. Who will be the keeper? KL Rahul is unavailable in any case, I am keeping Mohammad Rizwan. At No. 6, if it’s a slightly pace-friendly pitch, I will go with Hardik Pandya, but if it’s slightly spin-friendly, I will go with Iftikhar Ahmed.”
However, Aakash Chopra further added that there is no option but to choose either Hardik or Iftikhar to bat at No. 6 as well.
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“At No. 7, I have a left-hander because there is no left-hander after the opener. So I am keeping Ravindra Jadeja at No. 7. You can send Shadab Khan if an off-spinner is bowling and you can send Ravindra Jadeja if a left-arm spinner or leg-spinner is bowling because both are part of my team. Then I am picking three fast bowlers. The first name is Shaheen Shah Afridi. Then Jasprit Bumrah – Shaheen from one end and Bumrah from the other, the batter won’t be able to breathe. There was a little fight for the final spot – Mohammed Siraj, Mohammad Shami or Haris Rauf. I will go with Haris Rauf,” Aakash Chopra concluded.
Aakash Chopra’s India-Pakistan combined XI: Rohit Sharma (c), Fakhar Zaman, Virat Kohli, Babar Azam, Mohammad Rizwan, Hardik Pandya/Iftikhar Ahmed, Ravindra Jadeja, Shadab Khan, Shaheen Shah Afridi, Jasprit Bumrah, Haris Rauf
