The JioStar expert also analysed KKR's buys at the auction, saying that getting NZ all-rounder Rachin Ravindra at base price was smart and there is "serious batting power" in the squad.
Kuldeep was instrumental to India's success at the Asia Cup, topping the wicket-taking chart with 17 wickets. Chopra explained the rationale behind dropping the left-arm wrist spinner, attributing it to batting depth.
Varun Chakravarthy had a second coming in international cricket with 17 wickets in his last seven T20Is and 12 of them in South Africa in batting-friendly conditions.
Shreyas Iyer did not take the field for the entire duration of Day 4 in the Ranji Trophy final on Wednesday.
Unfortunately, his return was marred by a dismissal for just three runs off eight balls.
Shreyas Iyer out of Pakistan clash with back spasm
'Pick a guy who's done well in T20 cricket, and not just because somebody has done so well in Test cricket gets rewarded with a T20 place, especially at the cost of somebody like Shreyas Iyer.'
IPL Auction 2026 was not just about money; it was a celebration of ambition, opportunity, and the unrelenting belief that the next big star could come from anywhere.
'Commendable' performances in a losing cause should 'never' be celebrated, said India head coach Gautam Gambhir as he took a critical view of the team's recent ODI series defeat to Australia.
Gill may miss ODI series due to unhealed neck injury; Rahul, Pant in line for ODI captaincy
Punjab Kings head coach Ricky Ponting rated Shyreas Iyer as the ideal choice to lead the team in IPL 2025.
Dhruv Jurel slammed a century to lead India A's strong fightback on Day 3 of the rain-hit first unofficial Test against Australia A in Lucknow on Friday.
This series also marks the return of two Indian heavyweights who will be seen in action for the first time in the Indian jersey since the ICC Champions Trophy Final earlier this year.
Jaiswal ticked a box in the third ODI with his maidan ton and Ruturaj Gaikwad chipped in with a hundred at Raipur, leaving Gambhir pleased as punch.
Shreyas merits Asia Cup spot based on IPL performance, reckons Aakash Chopra.
Shreyas Iyer to collaborate with faith-tech platform 'Bhagvad Gita for All'
Iyer struggled to display confidence and solidity, especially against the rising deliveries from the throwdown specialists positioned 18 yards away.
'I want to ask Agarkar how Iyer is not among the reserve players if he is such a strong contender.'
India A captain Shreyas Iyer has pulled out of the second unofficial Test against Australia A starting in Lucknow on Tuesday because of personal reasons.
Over the past few weeks, the former captain has reportedly shed 10 kg through intense training
While the white-ball trophy cabinet kept getting heavier, Team India's fortunes in Test cricket swung wildly between hope and despair in 2025.
For most IPL teams, the 2026 mini auction will be all about strategic buys and role-specific additions, while for a couple of others, it is going to be a captain-centric affair.
This knock was Rohit at his best, mixing patience, power, and timing with finesse.
'He backs players he likes but lets go of those he doesn't.'
Grind pays off for Ruturaj Gaikwad, now upto him and luck to prove his 50-over mettle.
India have been served well by Shreyas Iyer in ODIs at No. 4 but with the Mumbai batter unavailable due to injury, the team management entrusted Gaikwad with the job to build the innings and he did it with aplomb, hitting his maiden century in the second ODI against South Africa on Wednesday.
Prabhsimran's blazing ton, Iyer-Parag fifties guide India A to 2-1 series win over Australia A
K L Rahul takes over the captaincy after regular skipper Shubman Gill missed the series because of a neck injury.
Shreyas Iyer said that returning to an upright batting stance has helped him regain confidence and consistency, allowing him to adapt better to varied conditions at home and overseas.
'It was good fun. I was obviously really nervous. Super stoked for the boys to get the win.'
The legendary B S Chandrasekhar and Brian Lara on Tuesday won the Lifetime Achievement awards.
Priyansh Arya and captain Shreyas Iyer flaunted their rich vein of form by hammering blistering centuries for India A in the first unofficial ODI against Australia A at Green Park in Kanpur on Wednesday.
Shreyas Iyer is unlikely to be picked in the India squad for the remainder of the Test series against England.
Ravichandran Ashwin on Tuesday expressed disappointment over Shreyas Iyer's exclusion from the Asia Cup squad
"Been a long journey but I'm super grateful to the people who stood by my side to help me to get where I am today. Thank you Nitin bhai, Rajini sir and everyone at the NCA, who've been tirelessly helping me. Much love and much appreciated," Shreyas said on Twitter.
Rishabh Pant's place in the playing eleven is far from guaranteed, while Washington Sundar and Nitish Kumar Reddy are locked in a tight contest for the additional all-rounder's slot as India confront several selection dilemmas ahead of the first ODI against South Africa in Ranchi.
Mumbai cricketer Angkrish Raghuvanshi and a few other local players were present at the training when Rohit had two batting nets session at the All Heart Cricket Academy.
The focus is to bring momentum back into the Indian dressing room: Morne Morkel
Shubman Gill might just want to be fit enough to bat, as even a half-fit skipper is seen as more effective than Sai Sudharsan, Abhimanyu Easwaran or Sarfaraz Khan.
The 26 year old rued the dropped catches, which ultimately cost India the match and the series.
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