Aakash Chopra Urges Team India Management To Play Both Ashwin And Jadeja In England Tests

Former Indian cricketer Aakash Chopra believes that the Virat Kohli-led unit should play a combination of three pacers and two spinners in the Test series against England.

India played both Ravichandran Ashwin and Ravindra Jadeja in the World Test Championship final against New Zealand but the move backfired as the spinners barely came into play thanks to the inclement Southampton weather.

However, with the Test series being played in the second half of the English summer, Chopra believes that the ball might grip and turn and with Ashwin and Jadeja being more than handy batters apart from being world-class spinners, the former opener reckoned that playing both will give India an incredible depth.

“Try and play five bowlers – three fast bowlers and two spinners. Even if Rishabh Pant bats at six in that case, Ashwin and Jadeja can definitely contribute with the bat. They will have to put mind to matter and score runs. But playing three fast bowlers and two spinners will give Team India incredible depth in the bowling.” said Aakash Chopra on his official Youtube channel.

Aakash Chopra picked the trio of Ishant Sharma, Jasprit Bumrah and Mohammed Shami for the opening Test and while he conceded that the visitors might go with the 7+4 option in the opening Test at Trent Bridge, he asserted that playing two spinners should be the way forward in the rest of the matches.

“Bumrah, Shami and Ishant will be my three pacers while Ashwin and Jadeja can handle the spin department. Second half of English summer, the ball is going to grip and turn. The first match is in Nottingham, where Team India might go in with only four bowlers. But going ahead in the series, five bowlers should be a must according to me.” said Aakash Chopra.

The first Test between England and India will take place at Trent Bridge, Nottingham from August 04.

Also Read- Ajinkya Rahane Has To Sort Out His Game Plan Against Short-Pitched Deliveries: VVS Laxman