According to former India opener Aakash Chopra, Ravindra Jadeja, and Hardik Pandya might not be in the Indian squad traveling to Australia at the end of this year. While answering a question raised by a fan, Chopra explained why he feels so for India’s upcoming tour Down Under.
On Pandya
India are all set to travel to Australia to play a four-match Test series scheduled to begin from December 3. This is going to be huge as after months of enforced break, fans will be able to see two titans coming together for a mega-series. The discussions have already begun regarding the perfect team combination. Former Indian cricketer Aakash Chopra was asked by a fan on the same. He was asked whether Ravindra Jadeja and Hardik Pandya would be fit into the team together for the series. Chopra in reply said, “I feel neither of them might play. That is a very strong possibility.”
He went on to explain the scenario on his Youtube channel ‘Aakash Vani. With Pandya, Chopra thinks, “I feel that Hardik Pandya making it to the Test team doesn’t look possible to me currently.” He added, “That is because he has a back injury, he has not started bowling, he has not played ODIs, he might play T20s but will you play him in Tests after playing in the IPL.” Chopra continued, “Is he ready for Tests and does he want to play Tests currently? First thing first, I do not envisage Hardik Pandya playing the first Test match in Australia. That is what I feel.”
On Jadeja
Then he spoke about Ravindra Jadeja in brief. According to Chopra, Ravichandran Ashwin and Kuldeep Yadav should be given preference before Jadeja. “I feel before Ravindra Jadeja, you might want to look at Ashwin and Kuldeep first. Because Kuldeep is a wrist-spinner and last time when he played in Australia, he took six wickets. After that you have not played him, so I feel he might get a chance there.”
Chopra concluded, “How can you forget Ashwin, he could also get a chance. So I feel forget about Jaddu and Hardik playing together, their playing itself might not be a certainty when the team takes field against Australia later this year.”
