India vs England 2021: Aakash Chopra Names His India XI For The First Test Against England
Published - 29 Jan 2021, 04:08 PM | Updated - 23 Aug 2024, 12:40 AM
Former India opener, Aakash Chopra has announced his playing eleven for the Indian team which he feels will take the field against England on 5th February in the opening Test of the 4-match Test series in Chennai. With the England series, international cricket will resume in India since the lockdown last year.
Aakash Chopra believes that since Ravindra Jadeja is ruled out of the entire series Kuldeep Yadav will slot in the eleven. However, Washington Sundar will also retain his place in the side which won the Brisbane Test against Australia, according to Chopra, as the hosts are expected to field three spinners in home conditions with Ravichandran Ashwin as the premier tweaker.
Kuldeep hasn’t played a Test match since he took the five-wicket haul in Sydney a couple of years ago. The chinaman is likely to participate against Joe Root’s side. Notably, Chopra has left out Wriddhiman Saha, Hardik Pandya, Mayank Agarwal who are in the squad.
In his Facebook Video, Aakash Chopra said, “According to me, he (Kuldeep Yadav) will play because Jadeja is not there and you will play at least two spinners in India. At this point, I feel you can play three. In the playing XI, you can play the same five batsmen – Gill, Rohit, Pujara, Kohli, Rahane. You can keep Rishabh Pant at No.6 and Washington Sundar at No.7, with Ravichandran Ashwin at No.8. So you have batting till No.8.”
“Then you play three proper bowlers in which one should be Kuldeep Yadav and two fast bowlers. Because you are talking about Chennai, agree it is February, so it will probably be slightly less hot but there are only three weathers in Chennai – hot, hotter, and hottest. So, Kuldeep Yadav should play. The first and second Test are on the same ground and there is help for the spinners there,” the 43-year-old added.
Aakash Chopra omits Mohammed Siraj from the playing eleven
The former Kolkata Knight Riders batsman was forced to leave out Mohammed Siraj, who took a 5-f0r in Brisbane. Since Ishant Sharma returns to the side – subject to passing his fitness Test – and Jasprit Bumrah is set to play his maiden Test in India. Hence, Siraj may not feature in the first Test.
“You need two fast bowlers who can pick wickets. My first picks will be Ishant Sharma and Jasprit Bumrah if both are fit and available for the match. Obviously, they have been picked, so we are assuming they will be fit and available for the first Test match,” the former opener said.
Aakash Chopra’s Indian XI for the first Test against England:
Rohit Sharma, Shubman Gill, Cheteshwar Pujara, Virat Kohli, Ajinkya Rahane, Rishabh Pant, Washington Sundar, Ravichandran Ashwin, Kuldeep Yadav, Ishant Sharma, Jasprit Bumrah
About the Author
This author is a member of Cricketaddictor who writes news and analysis related to cricket.
