Aakash Chopra expects Team India to drop Avesh Khan ahead of the fourth T20I against South Africa

It has not been a great series for pace bowler Avesh Khan who has struggled to get wickets. In fact, he hasn’t been able to pick up a single wicket after the first three matches and has lacked his usual rhythm. Former Indian cricketer Aakash Chopra says it won’t be surprising to see him getting dropped in order to accommodate either Umran Malik or Arshdeep Singh for the fourth T20I.

Although Avesh has gone wicketless, he has been fairly economical. In the three matches played so far, he has an economy rate of 7.90. Also, Avesh could have easily dismissed Rassie van der Dussen, who later went on to play a match-winning knock in the first match, had Shreyas Iyer not dropped a fairly simple catch.

Speaking about possible changes needed in the Indian bowling department on his YouTube channel, Aakash Chopra mentioned that Avesh might have to make way in the fourth match of the series.

“Can there be any change in the Indian bowling? Avesh Khan – he has not gotten even one wicket till now. You can probably make a change here but if you want to make a change. Once again it is going to be a subjective call, about what you want to do.”

The cricketer turned commentator also added that Umran Malik and Arshdeep Singh had breakthrough seasons in the Indian Premier League and have been in great form. They’ve received their maiden India call-ups for this series and could be pretty useful additions here in the last two matches.

“It’s going to be an interesting one. If they do, you might hand a debut to either Arshdeep or Umran but if the team doesn’t do that and they say they want to go with him (Avesh) only, don’t really raise eyebrows, it’s absolutely fine,” Chopra further added.

While Umran Malik is a tearaway pacer who touches the 150 kmph mark regularly and can be used as an enforcer in the middle overs, Arshdeep Singh is fantastic in the death overs in the T20 format. He remains calm, composed and knows how to outfox the batsmen consistently in the most crucial phase of the match.

Avesh was the only bowler to not pick up a wicket in the most recent T20I and also proved to be the most expensive.