India have found some rhythm at the right time, but the big calls are only getting tougher as they head into a virtual knockout clash against West Indies in Kolkata. Former India cricketer Aakash Chopra has now urged the team management to resist the temptation of tinkering with the playing XI, warning against bringing Washington Sundar or Kuldeep Yadav back into the side.
Speaking on his YouTube channel, Chopra made it clear that stability should take priority over tactical experiments at this stage of the tournament.
“Should India make any change? They shouldn’t. I am saying put the matchups in a box. The team that played at Chepauk, play exactly the same team at the Eden Gardens. Don’t think at all about bringing Washington Sundar in or whether Kuldeep can be played because we can trap the opposition,” he said.
“Leave it now. All are knockout games now. This is a virtual quarterfinal, and then there will be a semi-final and a final. Why should you change now?”
India head into the must-win clash against the West Indies on the back of a dominant 256 for 4 against Zimbabwe, the highest total of the tournament so far. Contributions across the batting order finally brought balance to an otherwise inconsistent campaign.
Sanju Samson’s return at the top added intent early, Abhishek Sharma rediscovered touch with a half-century, and Tilak Varma’s 44 not out off 16 balls at No.6 gave India the finishing punch they had lacked earlier in the tournament.
Yet, while the batting clicked, the bowling continues to throw up concerns, particularly around the sixth bowling option and spin balance.
INDIA’S FAILED SUNDAR EXPERIMENT VS SA
India had earlier turned to Washington Sundar during the Super 8 opener against South Africa in Ahmedabad in what was seen as a tactical move against left-hand heavy batting.
The decision did not quite deliver.
Sundar bowled only two overs, conceded 17 runs without taking a wicket, and managed 11 off 11 with the bat after being promoted up the order. His impact remained minimal, and India eventually suffered a crushing 76-run defeat.
He was subsequently dropped for the Zimbabwe clash, with Axar Patel returning to the XI. The move brought greater balance and played its part in India’s 72-run win that revived their semifinal hopes.
Chopra believes that with knockout cricket now underway, India cannot afford another experiment.
IND VS WI: PREDICTED XI
With the batting finally settling into roles and combinations working, Chopra suggested that continuity is key.
India Probable XI: Sanju Samson (wk), Abhishek Sharma, Ishan Kishan, Tilak Varma, Suryakumar Yadav (c), Hardik Pandya, Shivam Dube, Axar Patel, Varun Chakravarthy, Jasprit Bumrah, Arshdeep Singh
The Eden Gardens clash is effectively a do-or-die fixture, with a semifinal berth against England on the line.
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