Former Indian Opener Aakash Chopra feels that Team India will have difficulties chasing down the target set by England on Day 4.
England were bundled out for just 145 runs in their second innings after wrapping the Indian innings in the first session of Day 3. India managed to reduce the deficit to 46 runs after they were reduced to 177/7 on Day 2. Dhruv Jurel played a valiant knock of 90. Chasing 192 the Indian openers batted positively in the brief span as India ended Day 3 on a high note at 40/0. If India wins this match they will take an unassailable lead of 3-1 in the 5-match series.
I feel Jimmy Anderson will bowl in the morning and wickets will fall- Aakash Chopra
During a discussion on Colors Cineplex after the end of Day’s play, Aakash Chopra spoke about India’s chase
It will require three-and-a-half hours for sure. I feel it will still not be a straightforward run chase. I feel Jimmy Anderson will bowl in the morning and wickets will fall.”
The ex-Indian opener anticipates that the pitch will pose challenges on the fourth morning, possibly offering some tricky conditions.
If you chase down close to 200 for two wickets, we should pay obeisance to the Indian batting because I had placed a pen on this pitch today morning. The gaps are so big, you might be able to make a stump stand on them tomorrow. So it might happen but I will be very surprised if that happens, wickets will fall,” Chopra stated.
After dismissing Rohit Sharma early in the first innings, James Anderson surprisingly did not receive the new ball for England in the second innings. This decision by the England team management allowed the Indian captain and Yashasvi Jaiswal to capitalize, attacking the England spinners aggressively and scoring 40 runs off just eight overs bowled by them.
It seemed like a four was written on every ball- Aakash Chopra on England’s bowling
Aakash Chopra was also questioned about his opinion on England’s bowling at the beginning of India’s innings. He responded,
When they were bowling, it seemed like a four was written on every ball. Yes, Rohit (Sharma) played one or two exceptional shots. No matter how full the ball might be, if you play against the spin like that, they were two very good boundaries.”
The former cricketer-turned-commentator observed that Ben Stokes persisted with his spinners despite their tendency to bowl loose deliveries.
However, after that, full tosses, on their legs, or the batters’ legs, the situation was looking hopeless at that time and the captain didn’t want to change as well. We were surprised by all of that but this might be a method,” he added.
Aakash Chopra also highlighted that the Ranchi pitch is even more challenging than the Hyderabad surface on which India struggled in the fourth innings. He mentioned that India’s batting lineup in this Test is less experienced, especially with players like KL Rahul absent, which makes their task ahead even more difficult.
Also Read: https://goworldwide.co.in/rp-singh-praised-akash-deeps-outstanding-spell/