IND vs WI: "I Feel The Indian Team Will Miss Axar Patel" - Aakash Chopra Describes The Second Test Pitch As Flat
Published - 22 Jul 2023, 02:58 PM
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Former cricketer Aakash Chopra questioned India’s team selection for the second and final Test against the West Indies at Port of Spain in Trinidad. Aakash Chopra highlighted that the India team would miss all-rounder Axar Patel in the bowling department during the ongoing Test match.
The Rohit Sharma-led team made one change to their lineup. Shardul Thakur was ruled out of the Test match due to a niggle and was replaced by debutant Mukesh Kumar. However, the spin duo of Ravichandran Ashwin and Ravindra Jadeja played a major role in India’s victory in the first Test.
Also read: IND vs WI: “I Was Slightly Surprised He Didn’t Score A Century” – Aakash Chopra On Ravindra Jadeja
You Have Not Played Axar Patel – Aakash Chopra
In a video shared on his YouTube channel, Aakash Chopra expressed his thoughts on the pitch conditions, suggesting that the Indian team might have to bat again in the match.
“We were talking about the West Indies that why they have played four fast bowlers. India’s selection has also been doubtful that you have not played Axar Patel here. I feel the Indian team will miss Axar Patel,” Chopra said.
“The Indian innings ended at 438. Then you ask the question – is that enough? If you see the pitch, the way the ball is not swinging here, it is enough, but it might not be that much that you don’t have to bat again,” he added.
The visitors were bowled out for 438 runs in their first innings in Trinidad on Friday, July 21. Virat Kohli scored a century (121), while Ravindra Jadeja (61) and Ravichandran Ashwin (56) contributed with half-centuries.
Also read: IND vs WI: “Virat Kohli Didn’t Try To Play Any Airy-Fairy Shots”- Aakash Chopra
Haven’t Seen That Much Life In The Pitch – Aakash Chopra
The cricketer-turned-commentator believes that the pitch doesn’t seem to favor bowlers, and the West Indies batters can make the Indian bowlers struggle for wickets.
“The pitch you have seen till now, it hasn’t looked like the ball is going to turn a lot or the pitch is going to deteriorate a lot. If you see the West Indies fast bowlers, Kemar Roach did pick up three wickets for sure and Jomel Warrican has picked up three wickets, but I haven’t seen that much life in the pitch.”
“This is a hard-working pitch where if the batter decides that he is going to play only defensively, you can make the opposition absolutely grind. So that can happen here.”
West Indies scored 86 runs for the loss of one wicket in their first innings before the stumps on Day. Tagenarine Chanderpaul scored 33 runs before being dismissed by Ravindra Jadeja. Skipper Kraigg Brathwaite (37) and Kirk McKenzie (14) remained unbeaten at the crease.
