India are gearing up for their T20 World Cup 2024 opener, where they will take on Ireland at the Nassau County Cricket Ground in New York on Wednesday (June 5). Ahead of the start of the tournament, former Indian opener-turned-commentator Aakash Chopra issued a stern warning for the one-time winners and questioned the team’s preparations and tactics. Chopra pointed fingers at captain Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli for being away from the shortest format for 14 months, following the last edition in Australia in late 2022, and even questioned the team’s lack of role clarity. 

ALSO READ | T20 World Cup: Markram reflects on captaincy stint as Proteas gear up for Sri Lankan challenge

Speaking on his YouTube channel, Chopra questioned why India are still figuring out their playing XI. He further stated that every player should have known their respective roles before the tournament and not at the start of it.

‘Shouldn’t it be ideal that we should have known the opening combination by now?’

Chopra stated, “Are India underprepared for yet another T20 World Cup? Aren’t we still figuring out our batting line-up? Who is the opener and the finisher? Should we get to know all these only in the World Cup? Yes, India like a left-right combination, but are almost certain to go with two right-handers: Rohit and Kohli. Rishabh Pant will likely bat at No. 3, followed by Suryakumar Yadav, and their dismissals will depend on whether India will next send Shivam Dube or Hardik Pandya. Then Ravindra Jadeja and Axar Patel. There are a lot of left-handers. But my question remains, why are we getting to know about this now? Shouldn’t it be ideal that we should have known the opening combination by now?”

He further added, “Since the end of the last T20 World Cup in 2022, we have been playing with almost the same XI and the same batting order. So, what have we changed? And the roles that have changed, none were informed about it. It’s not ideal. And it is because none of the senior players played since the last World Cup. I strongly feel we lack proper preparation. We are still trying to address it. We do have individual brilliance, but what happened last times was that we created a scene around the opening position. Between the World Cup in the UAE and Australia, we tried so many options for the opening role, including Suryakumar Yadav. But eventually, we opened with Rohit and Rahul, Kohli at 3…absolutely no use. That came back to haunt us. It’s an early warning, but we haven’t prepared well.”

India head into the T20 WC with only one warm-up game since arriving in the United States, co-hosts of the mega event along with West Indies. India played Bangladesh in the warm-up encounter and came with a different batting line-up. It remains to be seen who will be India’s openers in their first game, versus Ireland. Moreover, it also remains to be seen if Shivam Dube and Yashasvi Jaiswal will get a look-in. Thus, India have a lot of questions before their tournament opener, on Wednesday. 

The 2007 winners are placed in Group A along with arch-rivals Pakistan, Ireland, USA and Canada. 

You can now write for Baazigarnews.com and be a part of the Baazigar family. Share your stories and opinions with us here.