Aakash Chopra criticizes 'management' for not selecting a 26-year-old to bowl in the 1st ODI against West Indies

A Rohit Sharma-led India won the series opener in Ahmedabad by six wickets to kick off the ODI series against the West Indies. West Indies were bundled out for 176 by the hosts and the run chase was completed in 28 overs by the hosts. 

Yuzvendra Chahal, who took 4/49 in 9.5 overs, was the star performer for the Indian team. Aakash Chopra, of the former Indian cricket team, was not happy with the team’s approach, citing Venkatesh Iyer and debutante Deepak Hooda as examples of how the management did not believe in the bowling ability of newcomers. In the past, Hooda has shown he can slip in some quick overs in the middle. The 26-year-old batted well despite not being required to bowl. In the match-winning stand with Suryakumar Yadav, the debutant scored 62 runs unbeaten. Similarly, the IPL team Kolkata Knight Riders used Iyer as a versatile prospect. In the three One Day Internationals against South Africa, India lost 0-3. He was hardly used to the ball.

After not bowling in the first ODI, he rolled his arms for only four overs in the second before he was dropped for the third match. Chopra’s statement was not appreciated by some fans, as one claimed that the series opener in Ahmedabad didn’t need a sixth bowler. Chopra replied immediately, saying: “Less or no pressure is the best time to try new things.”