Former Indian cricketer and renowned commentator Aakash Chopra has expressed his disappointment with the squad chosen by the BCCI for the upcoming T20I series against the West Indies. Chopra, known for his astute analysis, has recently shared his views on the team selection, highlighting his dissatisfaction with the exclusion of Ruturaj Gaikwad, despite the player’s impressive performance in the IPL 2023.

In a video uploaded on his YouTube channel, Chopra voiced his opinion on the team’s selection while also acknowledging the impressive performances of Yashasvi Jaiswal and Shubman Gill in the IPL 2023. Despite his disappointment, Chopra remains hopeful and optimistic about the selected players’ abilities to excel in the forthcoming series against the West Indies. Follow your favourite cricket team with attractive betting odds from Dafabet.

“When the selection happens, the discussion is on who is missing rather than who all are there. You have picked three openers – Ishan Kishan, Shubman Gill, and Yashasvi Jaiswal. A noticeable absentee is Ruturaj Gaikwad. You have to feel for him. You expected him to be there, but everyone cannot come,” expressed Chopra in the video, expressing his disappointment over Gaikwad’s omission.

Chopra further highlighted the selection of three openers in the squad and questioned the decision to include Ishan Kishan over Ruturaj Gaikwad, considering Gaikwad’s strong performance in the IPL 2023.

“While there can be a discussion about the decision to pick Kishan, as he hasn’t performed exceptionally well recently in T20Is, and the IPL 2023 also wasn’t that good for him, was okay-okay, and Ruturaj had a very good one,” remarked Chopra, indicating his reservations about Kishan’s inclusion.

Speculating on the reasoning behind Kishan’s selection, Chopra suggested that the selectors may have considered continuity, taking into account Kishan’s previous participation in the Dubai T20 World Cup, where he even opened the innings in one match in place of Rohit Sharma.

Shifting his attention to another opener in the squad, Yashasvi Jaiswal, Chopra praised the young batsman’s exceptional performances during the IPL 2023. Jaiswal emerged as the fifth-highest run-scorer in the tournament, impressively accumulating 625 runs in 14 innings at an average of 48.08 and a strike rate of 163.61.

“Yashasvi Jaiswal now is the flavor of the month. When he had an IPL season like that, we knew that he is going to do amazing things. He is already part of India’s Test squad,” added Chopra, acknowledging Jaiswal’s promising talent.

Chopra concluded by suggesting that either Jaiswal or Kishan is likely to partner with Shubman Gill as the opening batsman. Gill, who secured the Orange Cap in the IPL 2023, showcased remarkable form, accumulating 890 runs in 17 innings at an average of 59.33 and an impressive strike rate of 157.80. Get the latest updates from the world of cricket only on Dafabet Sports.

Expressing his desire to see Gill in the playing XI, Chopra stated, “You will see either Ishan Kishan or Yashasvi, one of the two left-handers, opening alongside Shubman Gill. The sort of IPL he had, you want to keep him.”