Aakash Chopra feels India’s 5-bowler theory is doubtful with Rajat Patidar, Sarfaraz Khan in playing 11

Ahead of IND vs ENG 2nd Test, cricket commentator Aakash Chopra has highlighted Team India’s selection dilemma. Aakash Chopra feels that Team India can either pick five bowlers in the playing 11 or induct both Rajat Patidar and Sarfaraz Khan in India vs England 2nd Test.

India vs England 2nd Test is all set to commence on Friday, February 2 in Visakhapatnam. After the loss in 1st Test, Team India has added two batters to the squad- Rajat Patidar and Sarfaraz Khan. Both are uncapped middle-order batters and have got an opportunity after consistent shows in the domestic circuit.

India lost the 1st Test against England despite the visitors trailing by 190 runs after 1st innings. Team India could not chase down the 231-run target in the final innings against an inexperienced set of England spinners. Hence, there may be some changes in India’s playing 11 in the IND vs ENG 2nd Test.

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A theory could be not to play five bowlers: Aakash Chopra

Cricketer-turned-commentator Aakash Chopra talked about Team India’s playing 11 for the Visakhapatnam Test on his YouTube channel. The former India opener feels that Team India can either play 5 bowlers or give chances to both Rajat Patidar and Sarfaraz Khan in the playing 11.

“India has a slight selection dilemma. You want to give debuts to both Rajat Patidar and Sarfaraz Khan. You also want to play both Washington Sundar and Kuldeep Yadav. If you want to do all of that, you will have to play 12 and not 11. A theory could be not to play five bowlers,” the 45-year-old said.

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Aakash Chopra, who played for India in 2003-04, also feels that India should go ahead with spinners Kuldeep Yadav, Axar Patel, and Ravichandran Ashwin if they stick to four bowlers in the playing.

“You can say that you are happy with four bowlers, and that you will play three spinners and one fast bowler in the form of Bumrah. Then my three spinners would be Kuldeep, Axar Patel and Ravichandran Ashwin. So I have a left-arm spinner, an off-spinner and a left-arm leg-spinner,” Chopra said.

“If that is India’s playing XI, then you can play Yashasvi Jaiswal, Rohit Sharma, Shubman Gill, Rajat Patidar, Shreyas Iyer, and Sarfaraz Khan as the top six and you can keep Bharat at No. 7, and then you have got four bowlers,” added Aakash Chopra, who played 10 Tests for India.

Rajat Patidar or Sarfaraz Khan will be benched if India plays 5 bowlers: Aakash Chopra

However, Aakash Chopra also feels that if India plays five bowlers, then they will have to drop either Rajat Patidar or Sarfaraz Khan from playing 11. However, this will be a tough call for the team.

“That could be a theory but India have committed to play five bowlers. If they go with that viewpoint, if you try to fit in Washington Sundar, then one of Rajat Patidar and Sarfaraz will have to sit out, which is not going to be an easy thing,” he further added.

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India played two pacers in 1st Test

Team India played two pacers in the previous game with Jasprit Bumrah and Mohammed Siraj. While Bumrah grabbed 6 wickets in the match, Siraj went wicketless. England, on the other hand, played just one pacer Mark Wood, and managed to outplay the hosts.

Hence, Team India might go ahead with only one pacer and the rest of the spinners in the next Test. The India vs England Test series comprises 5 matches. England leads the series 1-0 after winning the opening encounter by 28 runs. Ben Stokes leads England while Rohit Sharma leads India in the series.