'Joe Root becomes Muttiah Muralitharan' - Aakash Chopra warns India on their plans for making rank turner in Vizag

Former Indian cricketer Aakash Chopra made a bold claim ahead of the second Test against England in Vizag. He warned India to not make rank turners as it might backfire and England stars Tom Hartley will become like Bishan Bedi and Joe Root will bowl like Muttiah Muralitharan.

The loss in the first Test against England has hurt India big time. They suffered a 28-run loss in Hyderabad and went down 1-0 in the series. The pitch of the first game didn’t have demons as it offered help for spinners as well as the batters, which England took full advantage of.

The loss in the first game might prompt India to make rank turners for the second game in Vizag, which will begin on 2nd February. There have been several reports which have suggested the same and even England head coach Brendon McCullum hinted about playing four spinners.

India in the first game struggled against the England spinners and even Joe Root troubled them. The batter picked 4 wickets and apart from him debutant Tom Hartley bagged seven wickets in the second innings and ran through the Indian batting lineup.

Aakash Chopra believes that India will be having self-doubt about playing at rank turners. He pointed out the factors that might cost Team India playing on such pitches. Speaking in a video posted on his YouTube channel, he explained:
“There is a problem with self-doubt. If we prepare a good pitch, they [England] play better than us. Shubman Gill and Shreyas Iyer are in poor form. We do not have Rahul. Virat Kohli was already absent. Ravindra Jadeja, the all-rounder is also not there. Suddenly, you are stuck.”

India will be without the services of KL Rahul and Ravindra Jadeja in the second. The duo faced injuries in the first game and then were ruled out of the upcoming Test. Also with Virat Kohli not being there, the hosts will be under pressure going into the game.

“I feel they should play on a good pitch – Aakash Chopra

Aakash Chopra further said that India should play on a good pitch and shouldn’t be overexcited to go for a turning pitch. He believes that with Indian batters not being in good form, England spinners will become equally effective as Indian spinners. He elaborated:

“I feel they should play on a good pitch. Don’t get overexcited and go for a turning pitch. Your batters do not have form. In such a situation, the spinners of both sides become equally effective. They do not have accuracy, but how does it matter? Tom Hartley begins bowling like Bishan Bedi and Joe Root becomes Muttiah Muralitharan.”

In the place of KL Rahul and Ravindra Jadeja, India has acquired the services of Sarfaraz Khan, Washington Sundar, and Saurabh Kumar for the third game. It remains to be seen what will be their combination for the second game as they look to make a comeback. There have been reports that Rajat Patidar might make his debut for the team.