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'India need to bring back their aggressive brand': Aakash Chopra's blunt warning before Zimbabwe clash

Times of India
by TOI SPORTS DESK
February 26, 2026
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'India need to bring back their aggressive brand': Aakash Chopra's blunt warning before Zimbabwe clash
Indian cricket legend Aakash Chopra has issued a stark warning to his team ahead of their crucial ICC Men's T20 World Cup clash against Zimbabwe in Chennai. With their semi-final hopes hanging in the balance, Chopra urged India to revert to their fearless and attacking style of play if they are to secure a place in the next round. He emphasized that the team must win convincingly to boost their net run-rate, which is now a critical factor in determining qualification. Chopra highlighted the challenges facing India's batting line-up, pointing out that their current approach lacks balance and aggression. While top-order batters are overly aggressive and lose wickets early, the middle-order players have become too cautious and conservative, failing to capitalise on opportunities. This measured approach contrasts sharply with the team's recent dominance, where they prided themselves on scoring high totals of 250-270 runs. The key to turning things around, Chopra argued, lies in the performance of captain Suryakumar Yadav. He stressed that Yadav needs to lead by example, batting freely at number three and driving the team's aggressive brand of cricket. Chopra expressed disappointment with Yadav's slow start against South Africa, which left the team struggling to recover. Chopra also underscored the importance of India securing a significant win against Zimbabwe to keep their semi-final hopes alive. He pointed out that while India needs to win both their remaining Super Eight matches, they also rely on South Africa defeating West Indies and Zimbabwe. If that doesn't happen, India's net run-rate will be crucial. Chopra's comments come at a pivotal moment for Indian cricket, with the world watching closely as one of sport's most popular nations fights to maintain its reputation and momentum in the tournament. His call for India to rediscover their aggressive style is a reminder of how much is at stake not just for the team, but for the global game itself.
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Originally published on Times of India on 2/26/2026