'Mohammed Shami in place of Ravichandran Ashwin' - Aakash Chopra suggests one change to India's playing XI for Afghanistan tie

Former Indian opener Aakash Chopra suggested one change that the 'Men in Blue' could make to their playing XI for their ODI World Cup 2023 clash against Afghanistan on Wednesday, October 11 in Delhi. The Indian team began their World Cup campaign with a morale-boosting win against Australia on a dryish pitch at Chepauk, on Sunday.

The Indian spinners put the Aussie batters to the sword on a pitch that offered them a lot of assistance. However, the pitch for India's upcoming game against Afghanistan at the Arun Jaitley Stadium might not be as conducive to spin bowling and that is why Mohammed Shami's return to the playing XI is being suggested by some fans as well as experts.

Aakash Chopra, who has played 10 Test matches for India, opined that the experienced seamer should come in place of Ravichandran Ashwin in the playing XI. The star off-spinner adds up with his batting abilities at No. 8. However, Chopra wants India to beef up the seam-bowling resources in the game against Hashmatullah Shahidi's men.

"There is scope for just one change in the entire team and that is you can play Shami in place of Ashwin. Shami took a hat-trick when he last played against this team in a World Cup game but Afghanistan surrendered against the Bangladesh spinners in their last match. So it will be slightly confusing whether they should go with Ashwin because you get batting at No. 8," Chopra was quoted as saying by Sportskeeda.

"You will want a lot to play Shami. I will say you should play Shami. Three fast bowlers, two spinners - forget the batter at No. 8," the former Indian opener turned commentator further continued.

It is such a flat pitch, Virat, Rahul, Rohit are in good form: Aakash Chopra

Chopra noted that the likes of Virat Kohli, KL Rahul, and Rohit Sharma are in form, and the track in Delhi is expected to be flat. Therefore, he felt that India could sacrifice Ashwin's batting abilities lower down the order and bring in Shami.

Check Here: Live Updates India vs Afghanistan, 9th Match, CWC 2023

"It does not make a difference. It is such a flat pitch. (KL) Rahul and (Virat) Kohli are in good form. Rohit Sharma is coming on the back of good form. We will actually fire. So let's go with that, that's what I feel," Chopra concluded.

The only game played thus far in Delhi in the ODI World Cup 2023 was between South Africa and Sri Lanka. Temba Bavuma's men posted a record-breaking 428 runs and Sri Lanka replied with 326 to lose the high-scoring encounter.

Also Read: Most Wickets in ODI World Cup 2023