Former India opener and commentator Aakash Chopra has shared his views on the upcoming one-off Test between India and Afghanistan. Speaking on his YouTube channel, Chopra said that the match provides a valuable opportunity to many young and fringe players to prove themselves in red-ball cricket.
The one-off Test between India and Afghanistan will be played in Mullanpur, New Chandigarh from June 6. With regular spinners Ravindra Jadeja and Axar Patel rested for the non-WTC match, the selectors have included three uncapped players in the squad, giving them a chance to make their mark at the highest level.
One of them will get a chance – Aakash Chopra on India’s uncapped players
Aakash Chopra believes that one uncapped player from India is likely to get a chance. He said the match could be important for young players trying to make it into the national team, especially with senior all-rounders expected to return in the future.
“Whether it is Gurnoor Brar, Manav Suthar, or Harsh Dubey, one of those three will get a chance. This will be a very important game for them because one does not get such opportunities very often, and one or both of Ravindra Jadeja and Axar Patel may return to the team for the next Test match.”
Harsh Dubey made his place in the team after his brilliant performance. He also has an impressive first-class record of 133 wickets and 1,027 runs in 27 matches. Manav Suthar has taken 129 first-class wickets and scored 945 runs in 29 matches.
I want to see wicket with Washington Sundar – Aakash Chopra
Aakash Chopra said that the Indian team management should focus on Washington Sundar’s bowling instead of his batting. The former opener said that the primary role of a spinner is to take wickets, especially when Ravindra Jadeja and Axar Patel will not be available for the match.
“Washington Sundar, the bowler. I am not talking about the batsman at all. I need his bowling because spinners are not all-rounders. The spinners’ first job is to take wickets. Do that job first. Then whatever you get with the bat is a plus, but I want to see wickets with Washi. Jaddu and Axar have not even been selected for this match. So you want Washi to come and take wickets.”
Washington Sundar will play an important role in India’s bowling attack. The off-spinner has taken 36 wickets in 17 Test matches at an average of 32.97. He has also scored 885 runs in 29 Test innings at an average of 42.14.
This is a big opportunity for Sai Sudarshan – Aakash Chopra
Aakash Chopra believes that the Test match is an important opportunity for Sai Sudarshan and Rishabh Pant. The former India opener said that Sudarshan needs to make the most of the opportunity and score runs before India’s next Test match in Sri Lanka.
“This is a big opportunity for Sai Sudarshan. Make a name for yourself and score runs. If you don’t score runs, you will be part of the same cycle once again because the next Test match will be against Sri Lanka in August, and they will be playing a rank turner. So you need some confidence going there.”
“Rishabh Pant has to score runs only because he has been demoted now. For no reason or reason, he has been removed from the vice-captaincy in Test cricket. His numbers are excellent. You have been punished because you have not scored runs anywhere else. Your vice-captaincy has been taken away.”
Sai Sudarshan has scored 302 runs in six Test matches at an average of 27.45. Meanwhile, Rishabh Pant has scored 3,476 runs in 49 Test matches at an average of 42.91 and remains one of India’s most important players in the longest format.
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