"The biggest question is what is being done with Ravindra Jadeja" - Aakash Chopra on all-rounder not being utilized in IND vs USA 2024 T20 WC clash
Aakash Chopra has questioned Rohit Sharma for not utilizing Ravindra Jadeja with both ball and bat in India's 2024 T20 World Cup 2024 win against the United States of America. He noted that the spin-bowling all-rounder needs to be among wickets and runs.
India restricted the USA to 110/8 after asking them to bat first in New York on Wednesday, June 12. The Men in Blue achieved the target with seven wickets and 10 deliveries to spare to book their berth in the Super Eights.
Reflecting on India's bowling in a video shared on his YouTube channel, Chopra expressed surprise about Rohit's decision not to give Jadeja the ball.
"The biggest question is what is being done with Ravindra Jadeja. The captain didn't get Jaddu to bowl even a single over. Even Shivam Dube was made to bowl, although he proved expensive in that over and it seems like he is not fully ready to bowl at this level," he said (2:50).
The former India opener questioned whether the all-rounder not being promoted in the batting order is a reflection of the lack of confidence in him.
"However, not giving a single over to Jaddu and later not getting him to bat up the order, the confidence in Jaddu was seen lost suddenly. The guy needed to score a few runs and take a few wickets in any case because this tournament hasn't gone well for him, he has a career strike rate of 125 with the bat, and you are slightly surprised if the captain doesn't get you to bowl also," Chopra observed.
While Jadeja wasn't used with the ball, fellow left-arm spinner Axar Patel was given three overs. Shivam Dube, who conceded 11 runs in the only over he bowled, was also preferred over Jadeja.
"It seems like he is cleaning up all Mughal emperors one by one" - Aakash Chopra on Arshdeep Singh
Aakash Chopra praised Arshdeep Singh for striking two blows in the first over, with Shayan Jahangir's first-ball dismissal being similar to Babar Azam's in the last T20 World Cup.
"Arshdeep Singh opened the bowling. First Babar, then Jahangir. It seems like he is cleaning up all Mughal emperors one by one. Who is next? He cleaned up Jahangir off the first ball and then another guy was cleaned up in the same over," he said (1:45).
The cricketer-turned-commentator expressed surprise about Jasprit Bumrah failing to pick up a wicket.
"Wickets kept falling at regular intervals but surprise, surprise - Bumrah didn't get even a single wicket, believe it or not. If Jasprit Bumrah bowls four overs on such a pitch and doesn't get a wicket, you will say this is what is called Kalyug. Player of the Match in the last two matches, bowled well here also, but wicketless," Chopra stated.
While noting that Arshdeep was the standout bowler, Chopra appreciated Hardik Pandya, Axar Patel and Mohammed Siraj for delivering decent spells.
"Hardik Pandya picked up two wickets. His two-wicket quota is absolutely certain. He got two wickets by bowling according to this pitch and took a catch as well. Arshdeep picked up four wickets - Player of the Match, absolutely outstanding. Axar Patel picked up a wicket. Siraj also bowled well. He has been economical," he elaborated.
Arshdeep's figures of 4/9 in four overs are the best by an Indian in T20 World Cup history. While Hardik Pandya picked up two wickets, Axar Patel accounted for one dismissal, with Jasdeep Singh getting run out off the last ball.