'If you take this lightly, then you will lose the series at home' - Aakash Chopra urges selectors to play senior players against South Africa

After reports suggested Indian selectors would pick a separate squad for the South Africa series, former India batter Aakash Chopra opined that India can’t afford to field a second-string team. In preparation for the T20 World Cup later this year, the Proteas will play a five-match T20I series in India starting on June 9 and the visitors have named a full-strength squad.

South Africa, led by Temba Bavuma, announced an all-round 16-member squad for the series that includes IPL’s sensational talents. Anrich Nortje and Wayne Parnell make their national team comebacks, while Tristan Stubbs, 21, received his maiden national call-up. Chopra feels that because India is missing some of their core players like Ravindra Jadeja, Suryakumar Yadav, and Deepak Chahar, the squad for the Proteas series will need to bear senior members of the team.

“If you were thinking that an experimental squad can be put out for this series and take them lightly before the tour of England, just think again. South Africa has tied India’s hands now and will win the series if an ordinary team is put out. India has to play pretty much everyone,” said Chopra on his YouTube Channel.

“So, a request to the selectors, if the South African players don’t need rest, then don’t rest your main players either. If you take this lightly, then you will lose the series at home,” he added.

In this team, right from openers to bowlers, everything is there: Chopra

India’s last encounter against South Africa ended like a nightmare. The Proteas defeated India in the Test series, winning it 2-1, and followed it with a whitewash in the ODI series. BCCI is yet to make an announcement about the Indian squad for the South Africa home series as well as the England tour and is expected to do it on May 22.

“Bavuma might be the only player in this side who is not a T20 specialist. He is a fantastic captain. De Kock and Reeza Hendricks are gun players. In this team, right from openers to bowlers, everything is there,” Chopra further added.

South Africa squad for T20I series against India:

Temba Bavuma (c), Quinton de Kock (wk), Reeza Hendricks, Heinrich Klaasen, Keshav Maharaj, Aiden Markram, David Miller, Lungi Ngidi, Anrich Nortje, Wayne Parnell, Dwaine Pretorius, Kagiso Rabada, Tabraiz Shamsi, Tristan Stubbs, Rassie van der Dussen, Marco Jansen