Aakash Chopra backs team’s decision to play KL Rahul ahead of Rishabh Pant in 3rd ODI against England

Former Indian Test opener Aakash Chopra has agreed with team’s management decision to play KL Rahul ahead of Rishabh Pant in the third ODI against England at Ahmedabad. India had taken an impregnable lead of 2-0 in the series before the final game and thus Pant could have been considered for selection but Rahul had not scored a lot of runs as he batted at number six.

Rahul had returned with scores of 2 and 10 in the first two games. However, the flamboyant batter batted at number five in the last match and scored an impressive knock of 40 runs off 29 balls.

“I can understand because Rahul had not scored runs in the first two matches. You moved him to No. 6 and he didn’t score runs. When you have picked him as your first choice, you have to go through with it. If you make changes very quickly, the player loses confidence,” Aakash Chopra said on his YouTube Channel.

“I feel Rishabh Pant has very minimal chances of playing even in the Champions Trophy. He won’t get a chance to play because you will see Axar (Patel) only playing at No. 5 on the 20th,” he observed.

On the other hand, the reputed commentator added he has a slightly different opinion to chief coach Gautam Gambhir. Gambhir said they will keep backing Axar Patel at number five as he provides the left-hand option in the top five and also creates an impact. Patel registered scores of 52 and 41* in the first two matches against England while batting at number five.

“I differ slightly with Gautam’s statement that why should you have all right-handers in the top six when you have the option of a left-hander available. The team is made up of individuals. If any individual becomes the weak link or becomes slightly insecure and is concerned about his form, he will crumble the day there is more pressure.”

“Ultimately, it happened that you thought Rahul also needed to come in form, so you eventually sent him at No. 5. If Pant wasn’t the priority number one during the selection, then him not playing all three matches is quite understandable keeping in mind that KL Rahul hadn’t scored runs in the first two matches, and Rahul scored 40 as soon as you batted him at No. 5,” Chopra observed.

India will begin their Champions Trophy campaign against Bangladesh in Dubai on February 20.