"You cannot have 4 No. 11 batters in T20 cricket" - Aakash Chopra wants Ramandeep Singh to make his debut in IND vs SA 2024 3rd T20I
Aakash Chopra wants Ramandeep Singh to be included in India's playing XI for the third T20I against South Africa. He pointed out that the Men in Blue lack batting depth when they play four specialist bowlers.
The third T20I between India and South Africa will be played in Centurion on Wednesday, November 13. The four-match series is currently tied at 1-1, with Suryakumar Yadav and company winning the first game by 61 runs and the Proteas bouncing back to win the second match by three wickets.
In a video shared on his YouTube channel 'Aakash Chopra,' the former India opener opined that Ramandeep should make his debut in Wednesday's game.
"I feel India should get Ramandeep Singh to make his debut. I tell you why. What did Gerald Coetzee do? He came to bat at No. 9 but he can bat. If you see India's situation in the first two matches, you lost six wickets for 35 runs in the first match and scored 30-35 runs in the last five overs in the second match," he reasoned (8:25).
"Fewer runs are being scored because no one is left in the end. Tail has absolutely no role to play. You don't have that much depth. You cannot have four No. 11 batters in T20 cricket. You have to have somebody who bats decently at No. 8. So I feel Ramandeep Singh should be played," Chopra added.
Chopra reckons Ravi Bishnoi should make way to accommodate Ramandeep in the playing XI. While acknowledging that it will be harsh on the wrist spinner, he noted that the current aggressive approach doesn't work without batting depth.
"That is the big overarching question" - Aakash Chopra on Axar Patel's role in India's XI
![Axar Patel bowled only two overs in the first two T20Is. [P/C: Getty]](https://statico.sportskeeda.com/editor/2024/11/17b69-17314687098079-1920.jpg?w=500)
In the same video, Aakash Chopra pointed out that Suryakumar Yadav didn't use Axar Patel effectively in the first two T20Is.
"What is Axar Patel's role in the composition of the XI? That is the big overarching question. If you see Suryakumar Yadav's win record, he has been absolutely outstanding. He is a good captain. Then why is he not using Axar Patel properly? I am convinced that they are not doing right with him," he said.
The cricketer-turned-commentator added that Ramandeep Singh's inclusion in the XI at Ravi Bishnoi's expense will force Suryakumar to use Axar more with the ball.
"If you are playing three spinners and we are saying you can play three spinners because the opposing team is not playing spin well, why don't you give more overs to Axar Patel in such a scenario? I feel one change might correct two things. If you play Ramandeep here, you will have to give overs to Axar," he observed.
Chopra noted that Axar cannot be India's No. 3 spinner as he played a significant role in their 2024 T20 World Cup triumph. He added that the left-arm spinner will be effective against the plethora of right-handed batters in South Africa's lineup.