"Respect The Conditions, Play 2 Spinners If You Have To," Aakash Chopra's Advice To Virat Kohli Ahead Of India Vs England 2nd Test

During the post-presentation ceremony of India vs England 1^st Test at Nottingham, Virat Kohli mentioned that his team will arrive with the same playing XI in all the matches.

However, former Indian cricketer Aakash Chopra does not agree with Kohli’s opinions over the matter. Aakash Chopra had advised the Indian skipper to use two spinners at Lord’s during India vs England 2^nd Test.

The first Test between India and England ended in a draw after the entire Day 5 was washed out due to rain. India needed 157 more runs to win the match with 9 wickets in hand but the weather definitely had some other plans.

The Indian team inducted only one spinner in the form of Ravindra Jadeja in the 1st Test and went ahead with 4 full-time pacers. They were Jasprit Bumrah, Mohammed Shami, Shardul Thakur, and Mohammed Siraj.

Virat Kohli Should Revisit His Statement, Feels Aakash Chopra

While speaking on this Youtube channel, cricket commentator Aakash Chopra asserted that Virat Kohli should revisit his statement of playing only one spinner during the Lord’s Test. He also advised that the Indian skipper should respect the conditions and play two spinners if needed. India has a full-time experienced spinner Ravichandran Ashwin in the squad.

“Respect the conditions, if you have to play two spinners, do that. Ashwin and Jadeja – both are ready with you. A lot of matches of The Hundred are being played at Lord’s, so it is possible that the pitch might be helpful for the spinners. But does that mean that the statement Virat gave that they will play with just one spinner, should he revisit his statement, perhaps yes,” Aakash Chopra said.

Aakash Chopra also mentioned that Moeen Ali’s inclusion in England’s playing XI in the 2^nd Test gives an indication that the Lord’s pitch might assist the spinners.

“Moeen Ali’s name has come, he is a part of the English team now for the second Test match. This means the ball might turn there. So, their combination will also change slightly,” Chopra said.

India vs England 2^nd Test will commence on August 12 (Thursday) at Lord’s cricket stadium in London. The series stands 0-0 with the first match getting drawn. Last time, India faced a disastrous defeat against England at Lord’s during the 2018 tour. Getting bowled out for 107 and 130 in both innings, Virat Kohli and boys had lost to England by a massive margin of an innings and 159 runs.