Former Indian cricketer Aakash Chopra criticized Suryakumar Yadav for mismanaging bowling resources in the third T20I against Australia. Aakash Chopra questioned Suryakumar Yadav’s decision to bowl Prasidh Krishna, who was expensive, in crucial overs of the game.
India set a formidable target of 223 runs after being asked to bat first in Guwahati on Tuesday. However, Australia managed to chase down the score on the final delivery with five wickets to spare. The visitors kept the five-match series alive, trailing 2-1 after three games.
Prasidh Krishna Was Extremely Expensive – Aakash Chopra
In a video shared on his YouTube channel, Aakash Chopra pointed out that strategic errors may have cost India the match. Chopra questioned the decision not to opt for a sixth bowler while other bowlers were conceding runs.
“Axar Patel bowled the 19th over. Prasidh Krishna was extremely expensive, but he bowled the 18th and 20th overs. India still did not use six bowlers. Prasidh Krishna went for 68 runs, but you got him to bowl because you didn’t even try to use a sixth bowler,” Chopra said.
“Axar was bowling extremely well but you held him back for the 19th over. Why did you hold him back – I have got no idea. Huge error in calculation because you did not use a sixth bowler, got a spinner to bowl the 19th over, and Prasidh Krishna to bowl the 18th and 20th overs, and you got hit a lot,” he added.
India was on track to win when Australia required 43 runs off the last two overs. However, Axar Patel conceded 22 runs in the penultimate over. Prasidh Krishna gave away 23 runs in the final over, resulting in the hosts losing the game despite setting a substantial target.
Why No One Is Bowling Travis Head Bouncers – Aakash Chopra
Aakash Chopra slammed Indian bowlers for not targeting Travis Head with bouncers. Chopra highlighted that the match seemed organized for Aaron Hardie, allowing him to bowl and open the batting.
“It’s not easy to chase 223 but Travis Head again started hitting. I am unable to understand at all that why no one is bowling him bouncers. We are saying everywhere that he should be bowled bouncers but no one did that,” Chopra further added.
“Aaron Hardie came with him. It seemed like this match was organized for Aaron Hardie, that he can bowl four overs even if he is going to be hit a lot, and then open the batting as well. He got out and then Josh Inglis and Tim David also got out. Travis Head also eventually got out to a short ball,” he concluded.
Also read: “No Point In Holding Back Someone Who Really Wants To Leave…” – Aakash Chopra Taunts Hardik Pandya
