Renowned cricket analyst Aakash Chopra has voiced his opinion on India’s team selection for the Asia Cup 2023 Super Four clash against Pakistan. Chopra firmly believes India should opt for Mohammed Shami over Shardul Thakur to strengthen their fast-bowling attack.
In the group-stage encounter between India and Pakistan, Shardul Thakur was preferred over Mohammed Shami. However, rain prevented any play in Pakistan’s innings, denying Shardul a chance to showcase his skills. Chopra advocates for Shami’s inclusion in the lineup, emphasizing the importance of having three quality fast bowlers in the team.
Chopra highlights the importance of picking wickets regularly in matches against strong opponents like Pakistan. He believes India needs three strong, fast bowlers to attack their opposition and consistently improve their chances of victory.
“I believe you can change bowling for the better. I am comparing the team to the previous India-Pakistan encounter; you can replace Shardul Thakur with Mohammed Shami to ensure that you have three high-caliber fast bowlers,” Chopra said on his YouTube channel.
With Jasprit Bumrah unavailable, both Mohammed Shami and Shardul Thakur were part of the playing XI in India’s game against Nepal. While both bowlers contributed with wickets, Shardul only bowled four overs in that match, further strengthening Chopra’s argument for Shami’s inclusion as a key asset in India’s bowling arsenal.
“Since you are batting till No. 8, you cannot defeat Pakistan with your current strategy. Three strong fast bowlers are required if you want to defeat Pakistan so that you can consistently attack them,” he concluded.
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As India prepares for their crucial Asia Cup Super Four clash against Pakistan, Aakash Chopra’s perspective underscores the importance of strategic team selection, particularly in the context of the fast-bowling department. The decision on whether to include Mohammed Shami or Shardul Thakur will ultimately impact India’s approach and performance in the highly anticipated match.
