‘Axar Patel was sent at No. 4 here – how, why, when, where?’ – Aakash Chopra baffled with India’s batting order against West Indies

Aakash Chopra (Photo Source: Instagram/Aakash Chopra)

Former India opener Aakash Chopra questioned India’s batting order in the second ODI against the West Indies at the Kensington Oval in Barbados. West Indies outplayed the tourists, winning the game by six wickets after losing the opening match to level the series 1-1.

India had come up with a revised lineup in the second ODI, resting senior batters Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli as Sanju Samson and Axar Patel were included in the lineup. Axar, who was promoted to No. 4, could score only one run.

Chopra expressed his disappointment with India‘s decision to promote Axar in the batting order. The 45-year-old said that there are no chances of the all-rounder playing at the number four position in the forthcoming Asia Cup and Cricket World Cup.

“Axar Patel was sent at No. 4 here – how, why, when, where? I have a lot of respect and admiration for Axar but Axar is never going to play at No. 4. What are his chances of playing for India at No. 4 from the World Cup or the Asia Cup perspective? I don’t see him playing there in 50-over cricket,” Chopra said on his YouTube channel.

What was Axar Patel doing at No. 4?: Aakash Chopra

Chopra went on to question whether, if India is anxious to play with the left-right combination, they will make changes to the top three of Rohit Sharma, Shubman Gill, and Virat Kohli.

“I have another question – is it tenable? Rohit Sharma and Shubman Gill will open and Virat Kohli will play at No. 3 and all three are right-handers. If you want a left-right combination so much, will you play a left-hander by sending one of them down the order? That’s not going to happen – so what was Axar Patel doing at No. 4?” the former cricketer added.

India and West Indies are all set to face off in the series decider at the Brian Lara Academy on Tuesday, August 1.