Aakash Chopra questioned Rohit Sharma’s captaincy in the first Test between India and New Zealand. He mentioned that it was beyond his understanding why India didn’t use Ravichandran Ashwin from the start in the second innings.
New Zealand defeated India by 8 wickets. They easily completed the target of 107 runs and are now 1-0 ahead in the three-match series.
“I know the runs were less, but we didn’t give overs to R Ashwin. I am not saying that he could have won us the game, but we didn’t use him. That was surprising for me,” Aakash Chopra said.
The former opener said that the decision not to use the off-spinner was not correct.
“I don’t have the answer to why he was not used. He is your team’s best bowler. Look at his numbers. No one has taken more wickets than him in red-ball cricket. Left-handers were at the crease, but you still choose to keep him out of the attack. I don’t understand that at all,” he added.
Ashwin was given the ball in the 25th over when the Kiwis needed just 10 runs, and he conceded six runs from his two overs.
Meanwhile, the BCCI has added Washington Sundar to the squad for the remaining two Tests in Pune and Mumbai. R Ashwin might be carrying a niggle, but there is no official word from the board.
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