Nikhil Chopra picks middle-order contenders in team India for upcoming Asia Cup

It will be an all-important year for the Indian team, with the Asia Cup and T20 World Cup as the key tournaments. In this regard, there have been many debates on how the Indian team can improve their performance in ICC events for the last few weeks. Apart from the bowling combinations, the major area, in which the team is not settled is in the middle-order department.

The opening combination of the Indian team is more or less set with the presence of Rohit Sharma and KL Rahul, who have been terrific in the white-ball cricket. However, many players have been given opportunities to showcase their talent, particularly at the number four to number six positions. In the latest interaction, the former Indian cricketer Nikhil Chopra chose the middle-order contenders for the Asia Cup 2022.

Hardik Pandya’s presence will make the middle-order rock-solid: Nikhil Chopra

Chopra reckoned that Virat Kohli will be his preferred number three batter. For the next slot, Shreyas Iyer has been impressive in the recent international series and mentions the batter getting the “Player of the Series” award in the Sri Lanka series as well. The former bowler then chose Rishabh Pant and Suryakumar Yadav for the subsequent positions.

“First will be Virat Kohli, who will bat at the number three position. At number four will be Shreyas Iyer, who has performed well in the last international series for the Indian team. Then, Rishabh Pant and Suryakumar Yadav will be surely there. From my point of view, the most important player will be Hardik Pandya, due to his form and if he manages to be fit for bowling, then the middle-order will be rock solid,” said Chopra on CricTracker’s ‘Not Just Cricket’ show presented by Sky247.net.

At the number seven position, Chopra reckons Hardik Pandya will be an important player due to his form in the ongoing IPL for the Gujarat Titans. He added that if Pandya manages to deliver, two-three overs, the all-rounder will be a confirmed pick and it can be a solid middle-order pack for the Indian team, which can help them to do well in the tournament.