Former Indian Test opener Aakash Chopra believes Shashank Singh wasn’t picked as a finisher for 2025 Asia Cup as there was no place in the team where he could have fitted. India announced a 15-man squad and has finishers like Hardik Pandya, Rinku Singh, Jitesh Sharma, Axar Patel and Shivam Dube in the team.
Meanwhile, Shashank Singh has impressed one and all in the last two editions of the Indian Premier League. Singh scored 350 runs in 14 innings of IPL 2025 at an average of 50 and a strike rate of 153.50. Thus, the right-hander played a key role in taking the Mohali-based franchise to the final of the tournament.
Earlier in IPL 2024, Singh was PBKS’ top run-getter with 354 runs in 14 matches at an average of 44.25 and a strike rate of 164.65 and thus he was retained ahead of the mega auction.
“It’s a good question. His number will come, but it can’t come so soon because there is no place. Rinku Singh, as a finisher, will be sitting out currently, and Shivam Dube will probably play at No. 7 if he gets a chance to play. Hardik Pandya and Jitesh Sharma are there. Where is the place?” Aakash Chopra said on his YouTube Channel.
Chopra said Shashank Singh will need to wait for his chances in India’s T20I team.
“As much as I love Shashank Singh, how can he come? He can’t come. So that is the story. Shashank will have to wait. I like him, he has got the skills, and it’s not like he is a 22 or 25-year-old youngster, but he will have to still wait. Till the T20 World Cup, it’s 50-50. I don’t think his name can come that easily,” he observed.
On the other hand, the renowned commentator reckons it would be difficult for Ajinkya Rahane to come back into the Test team.
He added, “He won’t be able to come, it seems like that for now. It seems difficult. I will be very honest. The Indian team has gone in a very different direction. So it doesn’t seem like he has a chance.”
Furthermore, Chopra reckons it would be difficult for KL Rahul to get back into the T20I team.
“He won’t be able to come till the World Cup. He too won’t be able to come. Again, the Indian team has started going in a very different direction,” Chopra observed.
India will be next seen in action in the Asia Cup.
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