“Does it mean Hardik Pandya will bat at No. 7?” - Aakash Chopra criticises India’s tactics in IND vs SA 2025 1st ODI

Former opener Aakash Chopra has been baffled by India's batting order in the opening ODI against South Africa in Ranchi on Sunday, November 30. Pointing out how the management has been batting players out of position, the 48-year-old questioned the thought of Hardik Pandya batting at No. 7 when he returns from injury.

Having played as an opener in List A cricket, Ruturaj Gaikwad batted at No. 4 in the series-opener, followed by Washington Sundar, who came in ahead of KL Rahul. Although Rahul scored a crucial half-century, Sundar and Gaikwad perished cheaply.

Speaking in the recent video uploaded on his YouTube channel, Aakash Chopra stated that he couldn't understand the rationale behind Rahul coming in at six, given he has best performed at four and five. Chopra said 5:48:

"Gaikwad bats at number four and Washington Sundar comes at five. I can understand when Axar Patel was there it made sense for Rahul to go at six. If Rahul bats at six, does it mean Hardik Pandya will bat at seven? Whoever usually don’t bat at that number, are doing so. Rahul has performed incredibly well at four and five even though he scored a half-century here."

The renowned commentator also wanted Nitish Kumar Reddy dropped for the next series as the management isn't even grooming him in Pandya's absence. Chopra continued saying 6:27:

Nitish Kumar Reddy still couldn’t find a spot, so he should be dropped for the next series. Instead, he could play domestic cricket and feature in the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy. He was selected on promise and potential, given someone should be there if Hardik Pandya is not. Since World Cup is in South Africa, they probably want to have another pace-bowling all-rounder. But they are not preparing him. So, what is the point of keeping him in the squad?"

Reddy made his ODI debut on the recent tour of Australia but couldn't deliver with either bat or ball. The 22-year-old's numbers in List A cricket are promising as he averages 35.92 with the bat with four fifties in 26 games.

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"Ruturaj Gaikwad doesn’t deserve to be judged in these three performances" - Aakash Chopra

Ruturaj Gaikwad. (Image Credits: Getty)

Despite Ruturaj Gaikwad managing only eight runs off 14 balls on his ODI return, Aakash Chopra called for the management to play him in all three games. The former KKR opener believes Gaikwad's ODI career should not be judged on these performances, elaborating 5:00:

"Ruturaj Gaikwad was given an opportunity at number four. He doesn’t play at number four. Dewald Brevis took an outstanding catch but all I was thinking at the moment that Gaikwad should be getting more opportunities. He deserves an opportunity in all three games and even if he performs poorly, don’t discard him. Gaikwad doesn’t deserved to be judged in these three performances because he is an opener. Till the time, he gets a chance to open the innings, you have no right to pass a judgement on Gaikwad’s ODI career."

He further stated that Yashasvi Jaiswal's struggles against left-arm seamers is becoming a 'never-ending saga'. The southpaw was nicked off Nandre Burger for 18 off 16 balls. Chopra conceded 4:44:

"Yashasvi Jaiswal was looking outstanding but again got out to a left-arm seamer as Nandre Burger nicked him off. Left-armers vs Yashasvi Jaiswal seems like a never-ending saga. It is developing into a sad story and he was dominating. It was not Marco Jansen this time but Burger dismissed him."

Spearheaded by Virat Kohli's 120-ball 135, India surged to a match-winning total of 349/8 in 50 overs. Despite Matthew Breetzke, Marco Jansen and Corbin Bosch striking half-centuries, the tourists fell 17 runs short.