Aakash Chopra believes that Jitesh, who is yet to secure his spot for the T20 World Cup, should be given more opportunities to solidify his position in the team’s playing XI.
In the lead-up to India’s final T20I against Afghanistan in Bengaluru, former cricketer Aakash Chopra anticipates Jitesh Sharma edging out Sanju Samson in the playing XI. Despite Jitesh’s impactful innings in Mohali, scoring 31 off 20 deliveries, he faced a setback in Indore. With an eye on the upcoming T20 World Cup, this match presents an opportunity for the team management to experiment, potentially reintroducing Samson.
Acknowledging the dilemma of choosing between Jitesh and Samson at No. 6, Chopra emphasized the importance of affording players, including Samson, a fair assessment over multiple games rather than judging based on one performance. The seasoned commentator underscored the need for patience and a comprehensive evaluation strategy.
“The question is whether you should keep Jitesh or Sanju at No. 6. If Jitesh had cemented his place totally, if there hadn’t been a question mark at all in front of Jitesh’s name, that he is definitely going to the World Cup, you could have thought about Sanju. However, Jitesh is not confirmed yet,” Chopra said on his YouTube channel.
“There is a flip side to that as well. Assuming you play Sanju, will you judge him with one match? It’s incorrect. Whoever you try, give him three chances at least. This is what has happened with Sanju throughout his career,” he added.
Chopra also highlighted the necessity for Rohit Sharma, Virat Kohli, and Yashasvi Jaiswal to feature in the third T20I, highlighting their limited recent game time. Despite potential intentions to provide opportunities to bench players, he asserted that India’s top six, including the mentioned batsmen, should remain unchanged for the upcoming match, considering the need for the frontline batters’ consistent presence.
Last Updated on January 17, 2024
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