'Only two frontline pacers on a pitch where...' - Former India batter criticises Rohit and Co's combination in 1st ODI against England

India, under the captaincy of Rohit Sharma, in action against England in the ongoing first ODI of the three-match series. The game is underway at the Vidarbha Cricket Association Stadium in Nagpur. India are playing without their two key players, including the likes of star wicketkeeper-batter Rishabh Pant and the modern-day batting great Virat Kohli.

Besides that, Young pacer Harshit Rana and opening batter Yashasvi Jaiswal are making their debut for India in ODI cricket. Both the players had already featured for India in the other formats at the highest level of the game.

Meanwhile, the former India batter Aakash Chopra criticized the team combination of the hosts while taking on England in the first ODI of the series. Chopra questioned the mindset behind fielding two frontline pacers, Mohammed Shami and Harshit Rana.

"Personnel might change for CT but philosophy might not" – Aakash Chopra 

The former opener spoke about Varun Chakravarthy getting benched even after impressing everyone with his outstanding bowling performances in the recently concluded five-match T20I series against the Three Lions.

“India’s played its hand. Need a batter at 8. Therefore, going with only two frontline pacers on a pitch where you could have easily played all three. And even while playing three spinners, Varun is on the bench. Personnel might change for CT but philosophy might not #AakashVani,” wrote Aakash Chopra in a post on his official X handle (formerly Twitter).

Here’s a look at Aakash Chopra’s X-post: 

India’s played its hand. Need a batter at 8. Therefore, going with only two frontline-pacers on a pitch where you could have easily played all three. And even while playing three spinners, Varun is on the bench.
Personnel might change for CT but philosophy might not #AakashVani

— Aakash Chopra (@cricketaakash) February 6, 2025

Speaking of India’s squad for the upcoming highly anticipated ICC Champions Trophy 2025, they have included three main seamers, including the likes of Arshdeep Singh, Mohammed Shami, and star pace spearhead Jasprit Bumrah. Besides this, there will be seven batters, including two wicketkeepers and four all-rounders in the squad.

The men in blue will start their journey in the Champions Trophy 2025, with their campaign opener against Bangladesh on February 20 in Dubai. They will aim to end their wait for the title after a long wait of 12 years since they clinched the glory in the Champions Trophy 2013.