Umesh Yadav. (Photo Source: X(Twitter)
Former India cricketer Aakash Chopra recently came forward to talk about the variety of seamers who have been picked in the respective sides in the Duleep Trophy. Chopra observed that veteran India pacer Umesh Yadav has missed out on making the squad for the Duleep Trophy, with everyone else getting a chance apart from him.
The tournament is all set to begin on September 5, and observing the squads, Aakash Chopra pointed out that the likes of Umesh Yadav and Yuzvendra Chahal were ignored, while Arshdeep Singh has been picked to prepare him for the Border-Gavaskar Trophy.
“All fast bowlers available in India have been picked. Of course, Mohammed Shami is not there in these teams. (Ravindra) Jadeja and Axar (Patel) are also playing. Umran Malik – I am very happy for him. Arshdeep (Singh) is playing – I feel they are thinking whether he can be prepared for the Border-Gavaskar Trophy,” Aakash Chopra said in a video on his YouTube channel.
“Since there is no idea about Mohammed Shami’s fitness and availability at the moment, all fast bowlers in India barring Umesh Yadav have been tried. I don’t see Yuzi (Yuzvendra) Chahal also in this. So it seems like some things are developing in a certain way,” the former India opener added.
I have heard good things about him: Chopra on Morne Morkel
Furthermore, Aakash Chopra reflected on the appointment of former Proteas cricketer Morne Morkel as India’s new head coach. He revealed that he is hopeful of a good showing from Morkel.
“Morne Morkel is becoming this team’s bowling coach. He was with Gautam Gambhir in Lucknow (Super Giants) and he liked him. He would have told the BCCI that he wanted him. I have heard good things about him from the Lucknow camp. Personally, based on whatever I have interacted with him, he is a very kind-hearted, soft-spoken kind of person,” he said.