Last Update on: September 27th, 2023 at 11:38 am
Former cricketer Aakash Chopra opened up about the absence of senior players in the ongoing three-match ODI series between India and Australia. Aakash Chopra emphasized that both teams may not be fully interested as the series occurs just before the World Cup.
The Men in Blue have already won the series 2-0 as India prepares for their last match against Australia in the third ODI in Rajkot on Wednesday, September 27. The upcoming ODI will be the final outing for both teams before the upcoming ODI World Cup in India.
Really Can’t Understand What’s Going On – Aakash Chopra
In a video shared on his YouTube channel, Aakash Chopra stated that the Indian team’s strategy with the rotation of players was beyond his understanding.
“Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli are back for the third ODI, but many players are not there. Hardik Pandya has not come back, Shardul Thakur has gone [home] and Shubman Gill is also not there. Axar Patel is still not available.”
“One really can’t understand what’ going on and how many players are there or not there. Mitchell Starc had come for the press conference, so he should definitely play. Then again, one is not sure, but it at least seems like he will play.”
Why Is This Game Being Played? – Aakash Chopra
The former Indian opener expressed his skepticism about the significance of the ongoing bilateral series, comparing it to school exams where interest is low.
“We are on the verge of the World Cup, but why is this game being played? Are you getting that feeling? From the behavior of both teams, one gets the feeling that they are asking – why are you making us play? What’s the reason?”
“Can you please elaborate a little more? It’s like the papers that are set by the school before the board exams. You don’t feel interested. This bilateral series is like that. It’s happening, but one seems to be taking it seriously.”
The ODI World Cup 2023 is scheduled to be played in India between October 5 and November 19. The Rohit Sharma-led team will face the Pat Cummins-led team in their first match at the MA Chidambaram Stadium in Chennai on October 8.
