"IPL will not do this job now" - Aakash Chopra on India not giving chances to Dube, Iyer, Shankar and not being able to find Hardik Pandya's backup
Aakash Chopra has questioned the Indian selectors' inability to find a backup for Hardik Pandya, which he feels could have been done by giving chances to Shivam Dube, Venkatesh Iyer and Vijay Shankar. Chopra also claimed that the Indian Premier League (IPL) will no longer help them do that job.
Hardik is currently indisposed due to an ankle injury sustained in India's ODI World Cup clash against Bangladesh. Dube wasn't given a chance in the recently concluded five-match T20I series against Australia despite being in the squad, and none of the aforementioned trio have been picked for the South Africa tour either.
In a video shared on his YouTube channel, Chopta was asked how India would find a backup for Hardik if they are not giving chances to Dube, Iyer and Shankar in bilateral series, to which he responded (0:55):
"What you are saying is absolutely correct. How will it work out if your only aim in bilateral series is to win? It won't work out as you are not trying anyone. In fact, it was my problem in this series (vs Australia), you didn't have a single bowler in the top six and a batter at No. 8."
The former India opener added:
"What is the logic behind this and we are talking about a scenario when Rohit (Sharma), (Virat) Kohli, Shubman (Gill) and KL Rahul are not there. It is a problem in my opinion because IPL will not do this job now."
The Men in Blue used only specialist bowlers in the T20I series against Australia. While Dube wasn't picked in the XI, the likes of Tilak Varma and Yashasvi Jaiswal weren't tried with the ball either.
"Why will Shivam Dube, Venkatesh Iyer and Vijay Shankar get to bowl when you can play six bowlers?" - Aakash Chopra
![Shivam Dube didn't bowl a single over in IPL 2023. [P/C: iplt20.com]](https://statico.sportskeeda.com/editor/2023/12/db3e4-17017481738301-1920.jpg?w=500)
Aakash Chopra further pointed out that as per the Impact Player rule, the likes of Shivam Dube, Venkatesh Iyer and Vijay Shankar won't get to bowl in the IPL. He reasoned:
"IPL could have done this job earlier. It's not going to do it now. Let's make peace with it that once the Impact Player rule has come, why will Shivam Dube, Venkatesh Iyer and Vijay Shankar get to bowl when you can play six bowlers?"
The reputed commentator opined that the Indian think-tank missed a trick by not trying them against the Aussies. He said:
"So that's not going to happen, whether you like it or hate it. You should consistently keep doing it in bilateral series but you haven't done that. It's a trick missed. I am with you on this one."
Many believe it is advisable to look for backups for a crucial all-rounder like Hardik Pandya. However, there are also those who opine that it is not prudent to give chances to players just because they can roll their arm over, as that could compromise the batting department.