Don't make the Washington Sundar mistake: Ex-India cricketer wants unchanged XI vs WI

T20 World Cup: Aakash Chopra warned India against tinkering with their Playing XI now. He stressed stability over experimentation ahead of the must-win clash vs West Indies

India have found some rhythm at the right time, but the big calls are only getting tougher as they head into a virtual knockout clash against West Indies in Kolkata. Former India cricketer Aakash Chopra has now urged the team management to resist the temptation of tinkering with the playing XI, warning against bringing Washington Sundar or Kuldeep Yadav back into the side.

Speaking on his YouTube channel, Chopra made it clear that stability should take priority over tactical experiments at this stage of the tournament.

“Should India make any change? They shouldn't. I am saying put the matchups in a box. The team that played at Chepauk, play exactly the same team at the Eden Gardens. Don't think at all about bringing Washington Sundar in or whether Kuldeep can be played because we can trap the opposition,” he said.

“Leave it now. All are knockout games now. This is a virtual quarterfinal, and then there will be a semi-final and a final. Why should you change now?”

India head into the must-win clash against the West Indies on the back of a dominant 256 for 4 against Zimbabwe, the highest total of the tournament so far. Contributions across the batting order finally brought balance to an otherwise inconsistent campaign.

Sanju Samson’s return at the top added intent early, Abhishek Sharma rediscovered touch with a half-century, and Tilak Varma’s 44 not out off 16 balls at No.6 gave India the finishing punch they had lacked earlier in the tournament.