In the upcoming 2nd Test match between India and England in Visakhapatnam, former Indian cricketer, now an analyst Aakash Chopra has cautioned the Indian team against preparing a rank-turner.
Despite the absence of key players like Virat Kohli, Ravindra Jadeja, and KL Rahul, Chopra emphasizes the importance of avoiding a spinning track that could potentially backfire on India.
The former India opener, who shared his insights on his YouTube channel, highlighted the vulnerability of India’s batting unit, especially with the inexperience of players like Shubman Gill and Shreyas Iyer. Chopra expressed concerns about their ability to counter England’s spin attack on a challenging pitch.
Reflecting on India’s previous Test series in 2021, where they lost the first match in Chennai but bounced back to win the series 3-1, Chopra acknowledged the team’s tendency to resort to pitches offering significant assistance to spinners. However, he cautioned against this approach in the current scenario.
“There’s an issue with self-doubt. If we make a good pitch, England performs better than us. Shubman Gill and Shreyas Iyer are not doing well. Rahul is not available. Virat Kohli was already missing. All-rounder Ravindra Jadeja is also absent. All of a sudden, we find ourselves in a difficult situation, “Aakash Chopra warned.
Joe Root will become Muttiah Muralitharan, Tom Hartley-Bishan Singh Bedi: Aakash Chopra
In a light-hearted remark, Chopra suggested that opting for a rank-turner might see England’s Joe Root bowling like legendary spinner Muttiah Muralitharan. Tom Hartley according to him might transform into Bishan Singh Bedi. He stressed the importance of maintaining composure and not succumbing to the temptation of creating a pitch that heavily favours the spinners.
“I believe they ought to compete on a good pitch. Avoid getting too excited and opting for a turning pitch. Your batters are not in good form. In such circumstances, the spinners from both teams become equally impactful. Their precision might be lacking, but does it really make a difference? Tom Hartley starts bowling like Bishan Bedi, and Joe Root would turn into Muttiah Muralitharan,” he added.
Looking back at the first Test in Hyderabad, Chopra acknowledged England’s smart move of introducing Joe Root into the bowling attack on Day 2. Root played a crucial role, taking four wickets, including the dismissal of Yashasvi Jaiswal. Meanwhile, debutant Tom Hartley emerged as the hero for England, claiming a remarkable 7-wicket haul in the second innings to secure a win on Indian soil.
As the Indian team navigates the challenges posed by the absence of key players, Aakash Chopra’s advice emphasizes the significance of preparing a balanced pitch that keeps India’s hopes alive in the 2nd Test against England.
Adding to India’s challenges, Rohit Sharma and his team will be without key players such as Virat Kohli, Ravindra Jadeja, and KL Rahul for the second Test. Kohli, absent for personal reasons, will miss action until the second Test, while Rahul and Jadeja have been sidelined due to injury concerns in preparation for the upcoming Test in Vizag.
Replacements have been called in the form of uncapped players like Sarfaraz Khan and Saurabh Kumar. The team management decided to opt for fresh talent rather than established stalwarts like Cheteshwar Pujara and Ajinkya Rahane. The onus now falls on Indian captain Rohit Sharma to lead the inexperienced side.
Looking back at the initial Test in Hyderabad, despite holding a substantial 190-run lead, India succumbed to defeat. England’s impressive performance in the second innings, led by Ollie Pope’s remarkable 196 and debutant spinner Tom Hartley’s stellar 7 for 62, orchestrated a noteworthy comeback for the visitors.