Not 100 percent certain that Jasprit Bumrah will play the second T20I: Aakash Chopra

Former Indian batter Aakash Chopra is unsure about Jasprit Bumrah making the playing XI for the second T20I against Australia and predicted the changes that might be made. The speedster has been out of international action for a while now due to injury concerns and even missed the recent Asia Cup 2022. He was expected to play the first T20I against Australia, but the management decided to give him a little more time to recover from his injury and was benched instead.  

However, his absence has proved to be a big hole in the bowling department for the Indian side. The likes of Bhuvneshwar Kumar and Harshal Patel were taken to the cleaners by Matthew Wade in the death overs in the first T20I and it has been an area that had to be addressed by the management. Bumrah’s inclusion was expected to solve the woes. However, his fitness is still in jeopardy.  

if Bumrah is not there, I would make only one change: Aakash Chopra 

Chopra reckoned he isn't 100 percent certain about Bumrah playing the second T20I in Nagpur and felt Deepak Chahar will straightaway replace Umesh Yadav in the bowling line up. He predicted two changes if Bumrah is available and mentioned that Bhuvneshwar Kumar could also miss out in the second game. Coming to the spinners, Chopra wished for the management to stick with Yuzvendra Chahal who was expensive in the first T20I and advised the leg-spinner to change his speed and length.  

"I am not 100 percent certain that Bumrah will play the second T20I. So, if he is not there, I would make only one change. A straight swap in the bowling unit which sees Deepak Chahar come in place of Umesh Yadav. Now, if Bumrah is available, then both he and Chahar should replace Bhuvneshwar Kumar and Umesh Yadav," Aakash Chopra told on his Youtube Channel 

"I personally wish that Chahal plays the second T20I, because if you introduce change after every match, it is just not right. Chahal might need to change his approach a bit and bowl slower through the air. If you need defensive bowling, then play Ashwin instead," he added.