"Get confused at times when..." - Aakash Chopra reflects on Rohit Sharma's underutilization of Kuldeep Yadav on Day 1

Former Indian cricketer Aakash Chopra expressed disappointment with Rohit Sharma’s captaincy during the first day of the fourth Test match against England. Aakash Chopra stated that Rohit Sharma underutilized wrist spinner Kuldeep Yadav on the opening day.

England skipper Ben Stokes opted to bat first at the JSCA International Stadium Complex. Debutant pacer Akash Deep ran through England’s top order and picked up three wickets in his first spell. He dismissed Ben Duckett, Ollie Pope, and Zak Crawley with the new ball.

Ravichandran Ashwin and Ravindra Jadeja took one wicket each to restrict England to 112/5 in the first session. However, they were not effective in the remaining two sessions. Joe Root scored a brilliant hundred to help the team cross the 300-run mark on Day 1.

Kuldeep Yadav Could Have Been Bowled A Little Earlier – Aakash Chopra

During a Colors Cineplex discussion, Aakash Chopra mentioned that Kuldeep Yadav was introduced late into the bowling attack. The former Indian opener emphasized that Yadav should have been utilized earlier in the game.

“It’s right, you are spoilt for choices when you have five bowlers. You get confused at times when you go to a buffet. Kuldeep Yadav was 100% introduced late. He could have been bowled a little earlier,” Chopra said.

Ashwin and Jadeja bowled 49 overs out of 90 on the opening day. Kuldeep Yadav went wicketless in his 10 overs. Mohammed Siraj’s reverse swing in the final session proved pivotal, dismissing Ben Foakes and Tom Hartley and placing India in a commanding position.

You Go First Towards Them – Aakash Chopra

The former India opener reckons that Ravichandran Ashwin and Ravindra Jadeja were preferred over Kuldeep Yadav considering their experience. Chopra pointed out Ashwin’s 500-wicket tally and Jadeja’s accolade as Player of the Match in the last game.

“However, when you stick with your fast bowlers from one end for a long time, it’s a rotational policy at the other end. In that rotational policy, one has taken more than 500 wickets, and the other is the Player of the Match of the last game, so you go first towards them,” Chopra stated.

Ravindra Jadeja claimed all three wickets in the first session of the second day to bowl out the opposition team. Ollie Robinson was caught while attempting a reverse sweep shot, while Shoaib Bashir and James Anderson were dismissed without adding to their scores.

The Ben Stokes-led team was bundled out for 353 runs in their first innings. The visiting team lost their last three wickets for just six runs on the second day. Joe Root emerged as the top scorer for the team, scoring an unbeaten 122 runs with the help of 10 fours.

In response, the hosts struggled with the bat against the English bowling attack. James Anderson drew first blood by dismissing Rohit Sharma. Shoaib Bashir picked up the next four wickets, including Yashasvi Jaiswal. Tom Hartley dismissed Sarfaraz Khan for 14 runs.

Also read: Watch: Kuldeep Yadav’s first international six brings a smile to Shubman Gill’s face on Day 4 of Rajkot Test