'If Yuzvendra Chahal didn't bowl four overs, you missed a trick' - Aakash Chopra criticises Hardik Pandya after India's loss to West Indies

Aakash Chopra, the former India opener, has raised questions on Hardik Pandya's management of the bowling resources during the first T20I against West Indies, which India lost by a narrow four-run margin. India fielded four frontline bowlers and two all-rounders, including captain Hardik Pandya and Axar Patel. The series is considered the beginning of the journey toward the T20 World Cup, which will be co-hosted by West Indies and USA in 2024.

Despite a strong start from West Indies in the powerplay, India managed to limit them to just 149 runs. Meanwhile, Chopra expressed his belief that the visitors missed an opportunity by not being more aggressive when Yuzvendra Chahal picked up two wickets in the same over during the powerplay.

"India didn't start that well with the ball. Then came Yuzi Chahal and he picked up two wickets in an over. After that, he was stopped. In my opinion, if Yuzi Chahal didn't bowl four overs in yesterday's match despite taking two wickets in his first over, you missed a trick," Chopra said on his YouTube channel.

Surprisingly, Chahal, who made the crucial breakthrough by dismissing openers Brandon King and Kyle Mayers in the powerplay, did not bowl another over until the 13th over. Chahal's eventual figures were 2 for 24 after bowling in three overs.

"I was somewhat disappointed because you held back his remaining three overs. He could have dismissed Nicholas Pooran, as he bowls exceptionally well against left-handed batters, but you chose not to use him. The decision to give him more overs later was slightly surprising," Chopra said. "Kuldeep Yadav bowled his full quota of overs, while Axar Patel only bowled two, Sometimes having too many options can be both a curse and a blessing."

The focus of discussion after the first T20I was India's batting failure as the inexperienced batting lineup struggled under pressure. Despite a promising debut from Tilak Varma, who top-scored with 39 runs off 22 balls, Indian team fell just short of the target as regular wickets from West Indies bowlers, especially Romario Shepherd and Jason Holder, led to India's downfall.