Aakash Chopra lashes out at selectors after Umran Malik gets snubbed once again

Former India opener Aakash Chopra tore into the national selectors yet again. This time the 46-year-old was upset because fast bowler Umran Malik wasn’t picked for the Afghanistan series.

24-year-old Umran Malik shot to fame with his pace during the IPL 2021 season. Soon the fast bowler from Jammu and Kashmir became a part of the Indian team. The last time Umran Malik played for India was during the 2023 tour of the West Indies.

Early in 2023, the right-arm bowled the fastest T20I ball by an Indian. His speeds during the Sri Lankan series were touching above 150 KPH on a consistent basis. Despite being the fastest in the country Umran Malik has been overlooked.

Aakash Chopra questions Umran Malik’s absence –

Team India recently announced its squad for the Afghanistan series. Former India star Aakash Chopra questioned the reason behind Umran Malik being snubbed for the series. This is the second time in as many days that Aakash Chopra has spoken about the selection.

Taking to his YouTube Channel, Aakash Chopra said “Till some time back, Umran Malik was everywhere. We took him to the West Indies as well and it seemed like he could be in the World Cup team too but now he is not there in any of the teams. He doesn’t even get selected for India A,”

The 46-year-old also said “What happened within three months that a guy first gets selected for the Indian team, gets very minimum chances there, and then goes totally missing? We don’t even know where Umran Malik is. Why isn’t he there? We should know why this is happening”

Meanwhile, Aakash Chopra also questioned the reason behind Deepak Chahar’s absence in the team. The 31-year-old played his last game for India during the Australia series in Raipur. Deep Chahar had to fly back home to tend to his father’s health who wasn’t keeping well.

“Interestingly, only three fast bowlers have been selected. Arshdeep (Singh), Mukesh Kumar and Avesh Khan are there here. Deepak Chahar was also picked for the South Africa T20Is but he didn’t go because his father was not well. His father’s health is better now. I am sure he must be available” Aakash Chopra remarked on his YouTube Channel.

Mukesh Kumar, Arshdeep Singh, and Avesh Khan are the pacers in the Indian team for the Afghanistan series. The first game will be played in Mohali which is Arshdeep Singh’s home ground. The last two matches are to be played in Indore and Bengaluru on January 14^th and 17^th.