Aakash Chopra urges India to pick Kuldeep Yadav ahead of Varun Chakravarthy in Champions Trophy clash against Bangladesh

Former Indian Test opener Aakash Chopra wants India to back Kuldeep Yadav ahead of Varun Chakravarthy in the Champions Trophy game against Bangladesh. Chopra noted that Kuldeep has performed consistently in the 50-over version and thus deserves his chance.

Meanwhile, Varun Chakravarthy was added to India’s final Champions Trophy squad, replacing Yashasvi Jaiswal, after taking 14 wickets in five T20Is against England at an average of 9.86. The mystery spinner had also bagged the Player of the Series.

On the other hand, Chopra recalled how Kuldeep dismissed Pakistan’s former captain Babar Azam with a brilliant delivery in the 2019 World Cup. Chopra highlighted that Yadav also performed consistently for India in the 2023 ODI World Cup as he scalped 15 wickets in 11 matches.

Aakash Chopra said on his YouTube Channel, “The big question will be Kuldeep or Varun. Kuldeep played the 2023 World Cup and did well throughout. In fact, I remember him hitting Babar Azam’s stumps in the 2019 World Cup. He has consistently picked up wickets in ODIs. If you check the numbers for the last two years, you will find that he is right up there amongst the best in the world.”

“The question got raised because you played Kuldeep in one match in the last series and then played Varun in one match. Then Varun got injured and you played Kuldeep. So there is no clarity on who is ahead in the race. My vote will go for Kuldeep because I feel if we do man-to-man marking, Kuldeep offers a bit more than Varun Chakaravarthy in ODI cricket,” he observed.

On the other hand, the reputed commentator noted that Arshdeep Singh will be India’s first-choice seamer and the second pacer will be a toss up between Mohammed Shami and Harshit Rana.

“It will be a toss-up between Shami and Harshit because I think Arshdeep will play, and I feel Arshdeep Singh should be played as well because he is a left-armer. Left is right, please play him. Harshit is not bowling well with the new ball but is bowling well with the old ball,” he said (4:00).

“Shami is bowling better with the new ball but the might is not being seen with the old ball. However, it’s been a while since we saw both of them play. So maybe Shami is back to prime fitness. If Shami is fully fit, you go with Shami because he is experienced and will be useful for you against Pakistan,” Chopra observed.

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