Former Indian Test opener Aakash Chopra has agreed with Shubman Gill’s reported request for 15-day Test camps before a series. After India suffered a 0-2 series loss against the Proteas, Gill has requested the BCCI to arrange preparatory camps before a Test series.
India has lost five out of their last seven Test matches at home and things have gone south for the team in the red-ball version. There is no doubt that India needs to pull up their socks in the multi-day format and come up with a collective effort.
“I am with Shubman. We don’t have to do just lip service. When we talk about giving priority to one format, we think that it is very important, if it is, then go the whole yard. This used to happen before. You would play two games before going to Australia, and also the international calendar allowed you that luxury as well,” Aakash Chopra said on Backstage with Boria.
The renowned commentator urged the BCCI to create a preparatory window by cutting down on bilateral series.
“But if you look at the BCCI, we are a strong board and not financially dependent. We don’t need three extra games. So if we wish to prepare well, then we can create a window. Preparation has been integral. So if Gill is saying this, find a window, prepare a window. It is unfortunate that you are jumping from one continent to another and playing different formats. The demands are also very different. If the preparation is not good and they fail, it’s a function of you not preparing well as well,” he added.
Meanwhile, the former KKR batter said the Kolkata Test pitch against South Africa was not ideal for India as it was a rank turner. However, head coach Gautam Gambhir said it was exactly the kind of pitch they had asked for, which drew a lot of criticism.
“But I personally have not endorsed, and I will continue to be vocal about it, the kind of pitch we made in Kolkata, I do not think it was something India had asked for. But Gautam confirmed it and that is problematic for me. India has done this far too often and way too long. There was a time when we played spin better than anyone else. Those days have passed. We play better on good pitches now but if it is a rank turner, everything is equal. Everybody is on the same platform. New Zealand was a reminder not to go that way,” he said.
India will take on New Zealand in three ODIs and five T20Is.
