Aakash Chopra has lashed out at the India National Cricket Team head coach Gautam Gambhir and captain Rohit Sharma after Shreyas Iyer revealed that he was not in the scheme of things for the ongoing three-match ODI series opener against England in Nagpur.
After smashing the brilliant fifty to help India beat England by four wickets, Shreyas Iyer revealed that he got to know that he was going to play in the first ODI at the VCA Stadium in Nagpur on the eve of the match, and that was only because of Virat Kohli’s knee issues.
Aakash Chopra slams Gautam Gambhir and Rohit Sharma over shocking Shreyas Iyer exclusion drama
Shreyas Iyer revealed that Rohit Sharma informed him about getting the chance to play in the first ODI on the eve of the game, and if Virat Kohli had not suffered from a swollen knee, he was not going to get the opportunity, which stunned fans and many former cricketers.
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Now, Aakash Chopra has fiercely reacted to a shocking revelation about Shreyas Iyer’s exclusion from the playing XI for the first ODI against England. He was shocked to learn that Iyer might have been benched if Virat Kohli had been fit for the Nagpur match despite his impressive record at No. 4. He also questioned if Iyer wasn’t supposed to play, where was Kohli going to bat.
Aakash Chopra posted on his X handle after the first ODI: “Trying to wrap my head around the revelation that Iyer wasn’t likely to play if Kohli was fit. He’s the first Indian to score 500+ runs batting at 4 in a World Cup. 2023. How could you bench him?? And if he wasn’t going to play, where was Kohli supposed to bat? At 4? Surely, Gill wasn’t getting pushed to 4.”
Trying to wrap my head around the revelation that Iyer wasn’t likely to play if Kohli was fit. He’s the first Indian to score 500+ runs batting at 4 in a World Cup. 2023. How could you bench him??And if he wasn’t going to play, where was Kohli supposed to bat? At 4? Surely,…
— Aakash Chopra (@cricketaakash) February 6, 2025
Aakash Chopra wondering about the treatment of Shreyas Iyer
The cricket expert didn’t stop there, as he posted a video on his Instagram handle to express his wonder at India’s baffling selection strategy and Iyer’s position in the Indian cricket team despite doing so well at No. 4 in ODIs and incredible performance at the 2023 ODI World Cup.
The former Indian batter further went on to question whether Virat Kohli would bat at No. 3 or if Shubman Gill would be shifted to a different position in the playing XI. Chopra said that he is really confused about India’s game plan and wondering about the treatment of Iyer.
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It is shocking for me: Aakash Chopra
Aakash Chora said in his Instagram video, “If Virat Kohli was fit and played the match, then Shreyas Iyer wouldn’t have been in the XI. Yes, you heard that right. He wouldn’t have been a part of the playing XI. And that is shocking for me. Because he scored 500 runs in the World Cup, he was the first Indian to bat at No. 4 and score 500 runs.
But he wouldn’t have been a part of the XI. Big, big, big question. If Virat Kohli was fit, then Yashasvi would have played anyway. Shubman Gill would have played at No. 3. Or would Virat be at No. 3 and Shubman at No. 4? What exactly is the plan? I’m still wondering.”
