‘No one is talking about it’: Aakash Chopra surprised over the omission of all-rounder from the South Africa Test series


‘No one is talking about it’: Aakash Chopra surprised over the omission of all-rounder from the South Africa Test series

Aakash Chopra

Former Indian batsman Aakash Chopra expressed his surprise over the snubbing of budding all-rounder Washington Sundar from the team. The BCCI named the side for the three-match Test series in South Africa and the weren’t many surprises over the selection. But the fact that selectors decided to name Jayant Yadav as a replacement for the likes of Ravindra Jadeja and Axar Patel didn’t go well with Chopra and some fans.

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Yadav has only 16 wickets in 10 innings and above all, he is yet to feature in an overseas Test. Moreover, Jayant averages 35 with the bat. On the other hand, Sundar boasts an average of 66 in six innings, only two less than Yadav. In addition to it, Washington starred in the famous Gabba win Down Under and is much more accurate with the ball.

I am totally in agreement with you, that where is he? That is a bit of a surprise for me. I am surprised why no one is talking about it because all your spinners are injured. Jadeja got injured, Axar got injured, in any case you don’t play any leg-spinner in Test cricket, you don’t want to bring back Kuldeep Yadav in the team,” Chopra said in a video shared on his YouTube channel.

Aakash Chopra backs Washington Sundar to become Ravindra Jadeja’s replacement

Washington Sundar
Washington Sundar

India is unlikely to field two spinners in the seam friendly condition in South Africa, yet Washington Sundar deserves a chance ahead of Jayant Yadav. His inclusion brings much better balance to the team and the 22-year-old could be groomed to be a long term option.

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You have rewarded Jayant Yadav for the job he did in the Mumbai Test but only Jayant Yadav with Ashwin, that’s about it. You have not even thought about Washington. If you are searching the balance, assuming you want to play two spinners with three fast bowlers, at times you may want to do that, so Washi fits easily in the spot Jadeja left. He fits there perfectly,” he adds.

But not to consider him at all, don’t talk about him at all, no one even told if he is injured or unavailable or why he has not been picked, that is not right.

Aakash Chopra feels that the selection committee should come forward to clear the air around the snubbing of players. The lack of communication from the selectors has put them in crosshairs lately. And not only it affects the players but gives rise to speculations over their future.

I feel there should have been a discussion about Washington Sundar and if he was not selected there should have been an explanation publically. The more you inform people, the better it is, and the lesser you and I will talk about it.

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