The ODI series between India and the hosts Australia is just a few days away. Many cricket experts and analysts are coming forward with their opinions about the teams and players. Now former Indian opener and now commentator Aakash Chopra is a new addition to this list. Chopra has recently opened up on the ‘batsman’ India should open within the upcoming ODI series.
Aakash Chopra recently named the batsman who he feels has the ability to score a double century in a 50-over game after Rohit Sharma. He feels that KL Rahul has the ability to score a double century in ODI if he is allowed to open and his potential is utilized fully.
Chopra suggested India play Sanju Samson in the XI and use him as a wicket-keeper and finisher to allow KL Rahul to bat up top with Dhawan. While Samson and Rahul are contenders for the opening slot, the likes of Shubman Gill and Mayank Agarwal can also open the batting with Dhawan.
“But KL Rahul is your keeper as well. If KL Rahul is the keeper, then maybe not. But if you don’t make KL Rahul the keeper and play Sanju Samson for example, then KL Rahul can open and Sanju can bat at No.5 and keep stumps. That is a possibility as this team does not have Rishabh Pant.”
“My heart says that KL Rahul should open because the sort of player he is, he scores hundreds and in my opinion, if he plays very well he can even score a double hundred in ODIs. You have got to make him open if you want to do justice to his abilities,” Chopra said in a video on his YouTube channel.
Rohit Sharma is one of the best batsmen when it comes to the white-ball game. He even has three double centuries to his name in ODIs – most by any batsmen in the world. However, he will miss the upcoming three ODIs and three T20Is against Australia due to his hamstring injury. His availability in Border-Gavaskar trophy is also not confirmed as his fitness report is not good enough to let him play the longest format of the game.
The first ODI of the three-match series will be played at the Sydney Cricket Ground in Sydney on Friday. Team India is currently is serving a mandatory 14-day quarantine in Sydney and has been allowed to train outdoors to prepare for the series