IND vs AFG: Aakash Chopra chose playing XI for second T20I, gave final warning to Sanju Samson, why Vaibhav did not get a chance


Strategic discussions have intensified in the cricket circles regarding the second match of the exciting T-20 International series being played between India and Afghanistan. Former Indian opening batsman and well-known cricket analyst Aakash Chopra has announced his favorite Indian playing eleven for the second T20 match. In this team selection of Aakash Chopra, the most attention has been drawn by the ignoring of young sensation Vaibhav Suryavanshi and the constant pressure on wicketkeeper batsman Sanju Samson. Despite the spectacular victory of the Indian team in the first match, many important questions are being raised regarding the selection equations. Chopra has made it clear that he is not at all in favor of carrying out unnecessary major surgeries in the established composition of the team. For this reason, he has taken a tough decision to make young player Vaibhav Suryavanshi wait in the dugout for the time being. While the fans were eager to see Vaibhav’s explosive style on the field, Aakash Chopra has expressed his confidence in the experienced players and has given priority to balance.

Aakash Chopra has retained Sanju Samson as opening batsman and wicketkeeper in the playing eleven, but has also issued him a very strict warning. Citing statistics, Chopra said that Sanju Samson’s recent form is going through a very worrying phase. Sanju has been able to score only forty-five runs in the last five T20 International innings. Even in the first match against Afghanistan, he was seen struggling at the crease and lost his wicket after scoring ten runs with the help of two fours in just eight balls. Aakash Chopra said in sharp words that modern international cricket cannot run only on the basis of emotions, feelings and emotions of fans. Here one has to come out on the field and score runs continuously. The bench strength of Team India is so strong that no player can consider his place safe for a long time without performing. Talented young players like Vaibhav Suryavanshi are eagerly waiting for their turn in the dugout. If Sanju fails to score big in today’s match, it will be almost impossible for the selectors and team management to give him further chances because now each and every inning of his is being minutely counted.

The only inevitable change seen in the main eleven of the Indian team is due to the sudden injury of mystery spinner Varun Chakraborty. Yesterday, this disappointing news came out from the Indian dressing room that Varun Chakraborty is suffering from a serious muscle strain. After the MRI test report conducted by the medical team confirmed the injury, it has been decided that he is completely out of the remaining two matches of the current series against Afghanistan. Along with this, deep doubt has arisen regarding his availability in the upcoming much-awaited Asian Games. The Board of Control for Cricket in India has not announced the inclusion of any other external player in the squad due to Varun Chakraborty’s exclusion. In such a situation, the only natural option for the team was Ravi Bishnoi as a specialist wrist leg spinner. Without any hesitation, Aakash Chopra has decided to directly include Ravi Bishnoi in place of Varun in his playing eleven. Bishnoi’s skill of throwing googly at fast pace can prove to be very effective in controlling the Afghan batsmen in the middle overs.

The final eleven that Aakash Chopra has prepared for the second match against Afghanistan is fully equipped with experience, aggression and all-round options. He has handed over the responsibility of starting the innings to the pair of explosive left-handed openers Abhishek Sharma and Sanju Samson. To provide stability and pace in the middle order, explosive batsman Ishan Kishan has been placed at number three, while Shreyas Iyer, who is handling the captaincy, will anchor the innings at number four. At number five, young batsman Tilak Verma will work to speed up the innings. The team has strong all-rounders like Shivam Dubey and Nitish Kumar Reddy as stormy finishing and bowling options in the lower order. As a spin all-rounder, Axar Patel is providing the required balance and depth to the team. The bowling attack will be led by world’s top fast bowler Jasprit Bumrah and swing specialist Arshdeep Singh, who will be supported by leg spinner Ravi Bishnoi. This team combination combines both depth in batting and variety in bowling.