'Who was the sixth? No one' - Aakash Chopra on India's team combination in 1st T20I vs Zimbabwe

Aakash Chopra pointed out India's strategy to go with only four specialist bowlers in the first T20I versus Zimbabwe on Thursday, July 23.

Mayank Yadav, Ashok Sharma, Prince Yadav, and Ravi Bishnoi were the four frontline bowlers named in India's playing XI for the clash in Harare. Shivam Dube was used as the fifth bowler. While Tilak Varma and Abhishek Sharma were in the side, captain Shreyas Iyer refrained from using the part-time spinners.

"When the Indian team was selected, only four bowlers were there - Prince Yadav, Mayank Yadav, Ashok Sharma, and Ravi Bishnoi. Who was the fifth? Shivam Dube. Who was the sixth? No one. India made up their mind to play without a sixth bowler," Chopra said on his YouTube channel.

The cricketer-turned-expert opined that the Indian team management is showing a lot of faith in Shivam Dube's bowling abilities. On Thursday, the Mumbai all-rounder bowled four overs and picked up one wicket while conceding 32 runs.

"Shivam Dube gave only 32 runs in four overs, and he gets a wicket in his first over these days. A catch was taken in the deep. He being made to bowl four overs and going with only four bowlers means India is investing a lot of faith in Shivam Dube. I think that's a massive thing," he observed.

"It was like threatening them" - Aakash Chopra on India's all-out pace attack in ZIM vs IND 2026 1st T20I

Chopra said that by picking two tearaway pacers in Mayank Yadav and Ashok Sharma, it seemed as if India were trying to intimidate Zimbabwe. He praised the start given by India's pace trio of Mayank, Ashok, and Prince Yadav.

"India decided that they would go with all-out pace, that both Mayank Yadav and Ashok Sharma would play, and that Prince Yadav would also play. It was like threatening them. India started brilliantly with pace," he said.

Mayank won the Player of the Match award after finishing with figures of 2/18 in four overs. Chopra said that it was great to see him bowl at high speeds and he also praised his fellow pacer Ashok.

"It felt good to see Mayank. He has made it back to the team after a long time, and he was not letting up. He was trying to go close to 150 kph consistently. Ashok Sharma, same thing. It's not like he was not hit, but went going, and it was heartening to see," Chopra observed.

The former India opener called Prince the most versatile pacer among the three used in the first T20I. Prince also bowled four overs, finishing with figures of 2/19.

"Prince Yadav is also growing in confidence. He has a slightly better ability to bowl in different phases of the game as compared to Mayank and Ashok Sharma, and that was also on display," he stated.