Play Six Specialist Batsmen, A Wicketkeeper And Four Bowlers - Aakash Chopra Reckons India Should Go With A Batting-Heavy Combination In First Test Against England

Aakash Chopra suggests Team India go with six specialist batsmen, a wicketkeeper in Rishabh Pant, and four bowlers rather than choosing five bowlers for one fewer batsman in the opening Test against England on Wednesday at Trent Bridge.

He asserted that since the pitch is expected to be green and pace bowling friendly, four bowlers should be enough, and that means the side would need batting depth to post a competitive first-innings total.

In the bowling department, Aakash Chopra has named the senior trio of Jasprit Bumrah, Mohammed Shami, and Ishant Sharma alongside Ravichandran Ashwin as the lone spinner omitting Ravindra Jadeja, who featured in the WTC final.

“Due to the lack of preparations, maybe five bowlers is not a great thinking, just for the first Test match. If there is a dry and flat pitch then it’s a different matter but if there is grass.

“I would be very tempted to play six batsmen, a wicketkeeper and four bowlers – three pacers and a spinner. I will go with Jasprit Bumrah, Mohammed Shami and Ishant Sharma with Ravichandran Ashwin as the spinner,” Aakash Chopra said in his YouTube video.

“Rishabh Pant can bat at seven. He hasn’t batted since the WTC final in June. He had COVID and didn’t play the side game too. Team India can’t take a chance with him at No.6 in the first match. The Indians need to bat at least five sessions to get in a position to win a game. As for the opening issue, KL Rahul should open with Rohit Sharma,” he added.

In the first match, India can tread with caution: Aakash Chopra

The cricketer-turned-commentator pointed out that India’s batting line-up is fallible in most parts. Rohit Sharma is opening only for the second time in England, while his likely partner KL Rahul hasn’t played Test cricket for two years. Ajinkya Rahane and Cheteshwar Pujara haven’t been in great form either.

Hence, Aakash Chopra reckoned it would be better for the visitors to go with an extra batting cushion.

“KL Rahul will be playing Test cricket after a long time. Also, for Rohit Sharma, this will be only his second Test as opener in England. Virat Kohli did not play the side game due to injury and did not score too many in the WTC final as well.

“Ajinkya Rahane and Cheteshwar Pujara’s England numbers are not great. So I will go batting-heavy. This is the first match. Team India can tread with caution and then keep changing,” the 43-year-old former opener stated.