India have found some rhythm at the right time, but the big challenges are getting tougher as they head into a virtual knockout against the West Indies in Kolkata. Former India cricketer Aakash Chopra has now urged the team management to resist the temptation to tinker with the playing XI and warned against bringing Washington Sundar or Kuldeep Yadav back into the squad.
Chopra made it clear on his YouTube channel that stability should take precedence over tactical experimentation at this stage of the tournament.
“Should India make any changes? They shouldn’t. I say box the matches. The team that played in Chepauk is playing the exact same team at Eden Gardens. Don’t even think about bringing in Washington Sundar or if Kuldeep can be played because we can trap the opposition,” he said.
“Stop it now. It’s all knockout games now. This is a virtual quarter-final and then there will be a semi-final and a final. Why change it now?”
India head into a 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 to the top provided purpose early, Abhishek Sharma rediscovered the touch with a half-century and Tilak Varma’s 44 not out from 16 balls at No.6 gave India the finishing blow they had lacked earlier in the tournament.
Still, while the batting has been clicking, the bowling continues to be a concern, particularly around the sixth bowling option and the balance of the spin.
INDIA’S FAILED EXPERIMENT OF SUNDAR VS. S.A
India had earlier turned to Washington Sundar during the Super 8 opener against South Africa in Ahmedabad in what was seen as a tactical move against the heavy left-handed batsman.
The decision didn’t quite work out that way.
Sundar bowled just two overs, conceding 17 runs without a wicket and managed 11-for-11 with the bat after being promoted to bat. His impact remained minimal and India eventually suffered a crushing defeat by 76 runs.
He was subsequently dropped for the clash against Zimbabwe, with Axar Patel returning to the playing XI. The move brought more balance and played its part in India’s 72-run victory that revived their semi-final hopes.
Chopra believes that with knockout cricket now underway, India cannot afford another experiment.
IND VS WI: PREDICTED XI
When the bat finally settled into rolls and working combinations, Chopra suggested that continuity is key.
India Probable XI: Sanju Samson (week), Abhishek Sharma, Ishan Kishan, Tilak Varma, Suryakumar Yadav (c), Hardik Pandya, Shivam Dube, Axar Patel, Varun Chakravarthy, Jasprit Bumrah, Arshdeep Singh
The clash at Eden Gardens is actually a do-or-die match, with a semi-final spot against England on the line.
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– The end
Issued by:
Debodinna Chakraborty
Published on:
1 March 2026 10:40 AM IST
