“Don’t get overexcited that ‘we need turning pitches’: Aakash Chopra on India’s plans going into the Second match against England

Former Indian opener and rewound commentator Aakash Chopra believes that India shouldn’t get over excited to prepare a turning track for the Second Test match against England starting February 2. “Don’t get overexcited that ‘we need turning pitches’ because your [Team India] batters are not in form. When batters are not in form, your spinners and their [England] spinners will be equally effective”, suggested Chopra.

The Reason

The reason why Aakash said this is because the Indian batter seemed out of form in the second innings and visibly struggled against the English spinners and preparing a turning track might play in England’s favour. That’s what Chopra said on his YouTube channel.

In the words of Aakash “They [English spinners] don’t have accuracy but how does it matter? Tom Hartley bowls like Bishan Pa and Joe Root becomes Muttiah Muralidaran on those kind of tracks”.

The X Factor

Aakash also suggested playing Kuldeep in the Second Test because of his skills and the mystery he brings with him. According to Chopra “I do agree that England will score quick runs on a decent surface. But can play Kuldeep and hope he can spin a web around the English batters. A good surface is I am hoping for but don’t know what India is thinking”, the opener concluded.

With Jadeja ruled out of the Second Test along with KL Rahul it is almost certain that one of Kuldeep or Sundar would replace Jadeja. With Axar already in the playing XI there are high chances of Kuldeep featuring in the XI as Sundar is a conventional spinner and the duo of Rohit and Rahul would like to have a left-arm leg spinner in the XI to make things a bit more challenging for the English batters.

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