"We didn't get Ashwin to bowl at all" - Aakash Chopra questions Rohit Sharma's captaincy in IND vs NZ 2024 1st Test

Aakash Chopra has questioned Ravichandran Ashwin's utilization by India captain Rohit Sharma during New Zealand's second innings of the first Test in Bengaluru. He pointed out that the off-spinner was hardly used despite him being a potent weapon, especially against left-handers.

New Zealand defeated India by eight wickets on Day 5 (Sunday, October 20). They successfully chased a 107-run target to take a 1-0 lead in the three-match series.

In a video shared on his YouTube channel 'Aakash Chopra,' he expressed surprise about Rohit's usage of Ashwin.

"No doubt the runs were less but we didn't get Ashwin to bowl at all. I am not saying we would have won the match if Ashwin had bowled but we didn't get him to bowl. That was surprising and how," he said (3:10).

The former India opener added that the decision to not use the veteran off-spinner was incomprehensible.

"Why was Ashwin not bowled? I don't have an answer for that because if you see his numbers, he is your team's best bowler. No one has taken more wickets than him in Test matches. Left-handers were playing but you still didn't get him to bowl. It was not understandable at all," Chopra reasoned.

Ashwin was introduced into the attack in the 25th over when New Zealand needed just 10 runs with eight wickets in hand. He went wicketless and conceded six runs in his two overs.

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"You used Ashwin as the 5th option" - Aakash Chopra

Jasprit Bumrah was the only Indian bowler among the wickets. [P/C: Getty]

In the same video, Aakash Chopra acknowledged that giving a long spell to Jasprit Bumrah was the right call. However, he added that Ravichandran Ashwin should have been introduced much earlier.

"You still understand Bumrah's long spell because only two wickets fell and he took both. However, Mohammed Siraj from the other end. Although he was bowling well with the new ball, when you stopped him, you could have got either Jaddu (Ravindra Jadeja) or Ashwin first, that's fine, but you used Ashwin as the fifth option," he said (3:50).

The cricketer-turned-commentator added that the result was virtually decided before the wily spinner was given the ball.

"The match was over. There was no life left in the match. 15 or 20 runs were left and you called him to bowl. It would have been better if you hadn't bowled him at all. This question should have been asked in the post-match press conference - 'Rohit bhai, what did you do?'. I thought India definitely missed a trick and it is beyond my understanding why he wasn't bowled," Chopra observed.

Washington Sundar has been included in India's squad for the final two Tests against New Zealand. It might imply that Ashwin is carrying a niggle, although there is no official word about the same.