Aakash Chopra Archives

India’s WTC final hopes ‘extremely slim,’ says former cricketer

Former India opener Aakash Chopra has expressed serious doubts over the national team’s chances of reaching the ICC World Test Championship (WTC) 2025–27 final, following a crushing 0-2 series defeat to South Africa.

The Proteas sealed the series in Guwahati with a commanding 408-run victory, ending a 25-year wait for a Test series win on Indian soil and leaving India reeling on the points table.

The back-to-back defeats mark India’s fourth loss in the current WTC cycle, dropping them to fifth place with a points percentage of 48.15.

With just nine Tests remaining in the cycle, India are not scheduled to play another Test until they tour Sri Lanka in August 2026.

Their remaining fixtures include an away series in New Zealand and a five-Test home series against Australia in 2027.

Speaking on his YouTube channel, Aakash Chopra admitted that India’s qualification scenario looks bleak.

He highlighted the improbability of a 5-0 home sweep against Australia, which would be necessary to significantly boost India’s points tally.

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“We’re currently fifth in the WTC standings, and I don’t believe we’ll make it to the final. If we qualify, it will be a miracle,” Chopra said.

“We have an upcoming series against Sri Lanka in Sri Lanka, New Zealand in New Zealand, and then five Tests against Australia at home.

“Winning all five matches against Australia seems almost impossible. With less than 50 percent of the points, it’s not looking great for us.”

South Africa’s series triumph propelled them to second place with a points percentage of 75, while Australia continue to lead the table with a perfect 100 percent, having won all four of their matches.

Sri Lanka occupy third with 66.67 percent, followed by Pakistan at 50 percent.

India now face a steep challenge, needing to win the majority of their remaining fixtures just to have a realistic chance of making the WTC final in 2027.

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Aakash Chopra names THIS player as India’s best middle order batter

Former India cricketer Aakash Chopra has called Shreyas Iyer the country’s best current middle-order batter, urging selectors to include him in the squad for the upcoming ACC Asia Cup 2025.

Speaking on his YouTube channel, Chopra highlighted Iyer’s ability to dominate the middle overs, praising his knack for finding boundaries and maintaining momentum under pressure.

“The Asia Cup squad needs to include Shreyas Iyer because no Indian player was better than him in the middle overs during the Champions Trophy,” he said.

Aakash Chopra further underlined Iyer’s stellar form in IPL 2025, where the Punjab Kings skipper scored 604 runs in 17 innings at an average of 50.33, leading his side to the final.

He noted that such performances often influence national selection.

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“This was Shreyas Iyer’s best IPL season yet. We have often seen that IPL performances play a key role in T20 selections. By that measure, Iyer deserves a spot,” Aakash Chopra added.

Iyer’s T20I numbers also strengthen his case, with 1,104 runs at a strike rate of 136.11 in 47 innings, the fifth-highest tally among active Indian players.

Aakash Chopra said his experience and composure could provide India with much-needed stability in the middle overs heading into the 2026 T20 World Cup.

The Asia Cup 2025 begins on September 9 with Afghanistan taking on Hong Kong in the Group B opener.

Pakistan and India headline Group A alongside UAE and Oman, while Group B consists of Bangladesh, Afghanistan, Sri Lanka, and Hong Kong.

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Former India cricketer lauds Siraj for filling Bumrah’s boots

Former India cricketer Aakash Chopra has heaped praise on pacer Mohammed Siraj for his standout performance in the ongoing fifth Test of the Anderson-Tendulkar Trophy at The Oval.

Siraj was instrumental in India bundling out England for 247 in their first innings on Day 2, finishing with figures of 4 for 86.

Following the second day’s play, Chopra highlighted Siraj’s ability to lead the attack in the absence of senior partner Jasprit Bumrah.

“Siraj might go for a few runs, but he sticks to his plan of bowling longer spells, and that’s the key to his success in taking wickets,” Chopra said in a YouTube video.

The former opener highlighted an interesting statistic: Mohammed Siraj averages 35.00 when playing alongside Bumrah, but that number significantly drops to 25.59 when he leads the attack without Bumrah.

“He raises his game when Bumrah isn’t there. The start wasn’t good; they were getting hit. When we were playing, it seemed like a green top and batting looked very difficult, but when they came, it seemed like it had become a road.

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“They were hitting at seven to eight runs per over. That was dangerous,” Chopra explained.

“He raises his game when Bumrah isn’t there. The start wasn’t great; they were getting hit,” Chopra remarked.

“It looked like a green top when we were batting, but when England came in, it looked like a road. They were scoring at seven to eight runs per over; that was dangerous.”

While acknowledging that Mohammed Siraj isn’t flawless, Chopra stressed that effort has never been in question.

“He might not always bowl perfectly, sometimes straying down the leg side or conceding runs at a higher economy rate,” he added.

“These things can happen to anyone. But have you ever seen him bowl at 70 percent? Has there ever been a time when Siraj didn’t give his absolute best?”

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Aakash Chopra ‘doubtful’ of India visiting Pakistan for Champions Trophy

Former cricketer-turned-analyst Aakash Chopra has recently raised doubts over the prospect of India visiting Pakistan for the upcoming ICC Men’s Champions Trophy 2025.

The ICC Champions Trophy 2025 is scheduled to take place in Pakistan from February to March, however, India’s participation in the tournament is uncertain as the BCCI seeks the government’s approval to visit the country.

Remember, reports emerged in Indian media, citing a source from the BCCI, that the Indian team will not be visiting Pakistan for the upcoming ICC event.

Further reports claimed that the board has formally proposed Dubai and Sri Lanka as potential venues for hosting India’s matches.

Aakash Chopra, during an appearance in a podcast on Raj Shamani’s YouTube channel, opined that the chances of India visiting Pakistan are low considering the current political situation between the two countries.

“The chances [of India visiting Pakistan] are very slim, to be honest. While cricket is back in Pakistan and the Asia Cup was held there, the hybrid model worked before with matches in Sri Lanka,” Chopra said.

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“Although teams like England, New Zealand, and Australia are visiting Pakistan, I doubt India will go. The final decision is not just in the hands of the BCCI but also involves the government’s policy.”

Chopra suggested the hybrid model as a viable solution, like last year’s ACC Men’s Asia Cup 2023. India stuck to their stance of not visiting Pakistan, resulting in Sri Lanka stepping in as the co-host.

“We might end up playing our matches outside, in places like Dubai or Sri Lanka. It’s all about timing. Personally, I don’t think India will travel to Pakistan,” he said.

Aakash Chopra further asserted that the situation will be tricky if Pakistan and India both reach the final.

“The venue for the final will be decided in advance. If Pakistan makes it to the final, they would naturally prefer to host it in Pakistan. However, if Pakistan and India reach the final, hypothetically, India isn’t likely to travel,” he said.

It is worth noting that India has not travelled to Pakistan since the Asia Cup in 2008 due to the long-standing political tensions between the two neighbouring countries.

In contrast, Pakistan has made four trips to India in the last 16 years. Their most recent visit was last year for the ICC Men’s World Cup 2023.

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Aakash Chopra picks two Pakistan pacers with best Yorkers

Former Indian cricketer and renowned commentator Aakash Chopra picked legendary Pakistan Wasim Akram and Waqar Younis among the fast bowlers with best Yorkers.

Speaking on his YouTube channel, Chopra lauded the magnificent Yorker skills of current Indian pacers Jasprit Bumrah and Mohammed Shami while also showering praise on Pakistan greats Wasim and Waqar.

The former Indian cricketer also spoke highly of Sri Lanka’s Lasith Malinga, terming him “an absolute beast”.

“You cannot go far from him in modern-day cricket. You cannot look at anyone else apart from him. He made practising yorkers by keeping shoes popular – Lasith Malinga. Lasith Malinga was an absolute beast” Chopra said.

“His yorkers were different because they came with a lower trajectory. He was a genius. He also had a slower yorker,” he added.

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Aakash Chopra then paid homage to the legendary Pakistan fast-bowling duo of Wasim Akram and Waqar Younis before drawing comparisons between the two great pacers’ mastery in bowling the Yorkers.

“Then I remember someone who used to come running from far. He too had a slight round-arm action. Just watching him run was a delight. Sometimes with the new ball as well but he was absolutely lethal with the old ball. The bowler’s name is Waqar Younis. His rhythm was worth watching,” Chopra explained.

“After that, I am thinking Wasim bhai. He is among the two Ws – Waqar and Wasim, and Wasim was different. He firstly used to change the angles a lot, bowl over and around the stumps, with a slight round-arm action or high-action as per his wish. Wasim Akram was that complete bowler who used to behold,” he concluded.

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“Won’t be easy for Pakistan to beat Canada,” says Aakash Chopra

Former Indian cricketer and renowned commentator Aakash Chopra asserted that it would be tough for Pakistan to beat Canada as the two teams are set to lock horns in an important ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2024 clash.

Speaking on his YouTube channel, Aakash asserted that Canada possess a quality fast bowling attack which can make things difficult for under pressure Pakistan.

“You might be thinking about Pakistan’s qualification chances. They are not too far behind in net run rate and since these games are being played on such grounds, no team will be able to catch up,” stated Chopra.

“It’s difficult to beat Canada because they beat Ireland on the same ground. They have decent fast bowling and you also get a left-arm spinner in Saad Bin Zafar,” he added.

The former cricketer further revealed that he met numerous Pakistan cricket fans following their national team’s narrow defeat against India and they shared that they have been “humiliated”.

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Aakash Chopra also questioned the selection process of the Pakistan cricket team.

“Pakistan’s chances are not yet over although whichever people I met, in Manhattan and at the ground, everyone said they had been humiliated. The situation is very bad and the fans’ anger is legit. More than the players, you should be angry with the way Pakistan cricket runs, that which people you select,” said Chopra.

“If you felt that after selecting this team, especially this batting, you are making a world-beating team, it’s T20, things can and might change, but it doesn’t look like that after seeing the team. The batting does not have the might at all, how do you do that? That’s Pakistan cricket for you,” he concluded.

For the unversed, Pakistan had a disastrous start to their T20 World Cup 2024 campaign as the former champions succumbed to an upset loss against the USA in the campaign opener before falling to a six-run defeat against arch-rivals India in a blockbuster clash on Sunday.

The back-to-back defeats put Pakistan on the verge of an early exit from the T20 World Cup 2024 and they now need to beat Canada to stay alive.

On the contrary, Canada, third in Group A standings of the T20 World Cup 2024, have two points after two matches as they recovered from a thumping defeat against the United States of America (USA) in the curtain raiser to register a shocking win over Ireland.

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Aakash Chopra admits Pakistan’s importance in Asia Cup

MUMBAI: Former Indian cricketer and renowned commentator Aakash Chopra acknowledged the importance of Pakistan in the Asia Cup, stating it would not be enjoyable without them.

Speaking on his YouTube channel, Aakash Chopra shared that the decision of the Asian Cricket Council (ACC) regarding this year’s Asia Cup did not surprise him much since the Board of Cricket Control in India (BCCI) had refused to travel to Pakistan.

“I am not a wee bit surprised because India had refused to go and they are not going. Pakistan will also come to play the World Cup, there is no doubt about that because you cannot do like that in ICC events that you won’t play,” said Chopra on his YouTube channel.

Aakash Chopra also insisted on the importance of Pakistan in the Asia Cup and acknowledged it would not be enjoyable without them by referring to a pizza without a topping.

“You can flex your muscles slightly in the Asia Cup, you can say that you won’t play and that other teams can play without you if they want. Asia Cup without Pakistan is like pizza without the topping,” said Chopra.

“It won’t be enjoyable. So you want Pakistan to be there in the Asia Cup,” he added.

It is worth mentioning here that after a year-long tug-of-war between the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) and BCCI regarding the venue of the Asia Cup, the continental council has finally opted to choose to go with the hybrid model and announced the schedule of the Asia Cup 2023.

The multi-national tournament will be hosted in a hybrid model with four matches being held in Pakistan, and the remaining nine matches being played in Sri Lanka despite massive opposition by the Board of Cricket Control in India (BCCI).

The upcoming edition of the Asia Cup features six teams, divided into two groups, the top two teams from each group will then qualify for the Super 4s.

Hosts Pakistan are placed in the same group as arch-rivals India and Nepal while the other group includes defending champions and joint-host Sri Lanka, Bangladesh and Afghanistan.

The Asia Cup 2023 will be played in the ODI format and will serve as an opportunity for the Asian teams to bolster their preparations for the upcoming ICC Men’s World Cup.

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’10-month rest in 2-3 years?’ Aakash questions BCCI’s take on Kohli, Rohit

NEW DELHI: Former cricketer and renowned cricket analyst Aakash Chopra questioned the stance of the Board of Cricket Control in India (BCCI) regarding the underperforming batters Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma.

As the BCCI announced the ODI squad for their upcoming away series against the West Indies, resting big names like Kohli and Rohit, cricketer-turned-analyst Aakash appeared dissatisfied with the cricket board’s decision.

Speaking on his YouTube channel, the former cricketer slammed the idea of resting players, claiming that they have already had enough rest due to the Covid-19 pandemic in 2020.

“What is with all the rest? How much rest do you want? Earlier, when a player used to be out of form, he was dropped and picked again only when he scored runs in domestic cricket. But at present, whenever someone is out of form, he rests. Are you guys not worried about it?” Aakash questioned BCCI.

“When there were strict bio bubbles, there was no cricket for almost six months in 2020 from March to September. Next year again you play one-half of IPL, and then after a gap of three-four months, you played the second half. So, it’s already [the] rest of ten months in 2-3 years. You don’t get any more rest than this in professional sport,” Aakash added.

The cricket analyst then slammed the board’s recent practice of dropping youngsters based on the availability of senior players.

“It’s good that India keep giving opportunities to players like Ishan Kishan, Ruturaj Gaikwad, Deepak Hooda, and Sanju Samson when the big players are rested. But what happens when these fringe players score runs?,” Aakash questioned.

“Do you tell them that they are dropped just because the big players are available now? Won’t they feel what wrong they have done?” he concluded.

It is pertinent to mention here that the BCCI announced the India ODI squad for the West Indies and appointed the seventh captain in the ongoing year as the left-handed batter Shikhar Dhawan will be leading the inexperienced Indian side as Rohit, Kohli, Jasprit Bumrah, Rishabh Pant, have all been given rest.

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