'If you want rest, take it in the IPL or T20I cricket' - Aakash Chopra urges Indian players to play all ODIs ahead of 2023 World Cup
"The first thing I understand is that too much rest is happening. In the last one to one-and-a-half years, too many players have taken a lot of rest many times," Chopra said.
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After India's ODI series loss against Bangladesh, former Test opener Aakash Chopra has urged all the players to focus on the 50-over format, advising them to take breaks either during upcoming T20I series or the IPL instead of ODIs keeping in mind the 2023 World Cup in India.
The Men in Blue are already 0-2 down in the ongoing series against Bangladesh with a dead-rubber of a game left in the three-match series, scheduled to be played at Chattogram on December 10. Notably, this is India's second successive ODI series loss on Bangladesh soil. The first one happened to be a 1-2 defeat in June 2015.
Meanwhile, Chopra mentioned that if the Indian players do not gel well as a unit by playing continuous ODI cricket, then it could hamper their chances in the next year's event.
The first thing I understand is that too much rest is happening: Aakash Chopra
"The first thing I understand is that too much rest is happening. In the last one to one-and-a-half years, too many players have taken a lot of rest many times. If you want rest take it in the IPL or T20I cricket but not in ODI cricket because this is the World Cup year,” said Chopra while speaking on his YouTube channel.
"If you don't play cricket together continuously, there is a question if you are able to prepare properly. This is not only with us, it happens with everyone. If you look at Australia, they said there was tiredness ahead of the World Cup, so they won't play the full team, they couldn't even qualify for the semi-finals,” he added.
"Now the 50-over World Cup is coming, you have 10 ODIs till the IPL, India's A (best) team should play all those ODIs. Everyone who is fit and available should play. If we are serious about the 2023 World Cup, play the entire team wherever ODI cricket is happening, let's not miss games,” the cricketer-turned-cricket pundit further added.
If the Men in Blue lose the next match as well, then it would result in two ODI whitewashes in 2022 for them. They were hammered 0-3 by South Africa away from home earlier this year. The only plus point for India as far as the away ODI series are concerned is their 2-1 victory over the reigning world champions England in July.
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