Former Indian Test opener Aakash Chopra has cautioned India against the idea of playing on a rank turner in the second Test match against New Zealand. Chopra reckons the decision to play on a slow and low Pune pitch could backfire as the spin trio of Ajaz Patel, Rachin Ravindra, and Glenn Phillips can make life difficult for Indian batters.
It was recently noticed that Indian batters had struggled against the Sri Lankan spinners in the three-match ODI series, which the Rohit Sharma-led team lost by 2-0.
Meanwhile, India is already on the backfoot after losing the opening Test at Bengaluru by eight wickets. Furthermore, India had lost the Pune Test against Australia in 2017 when they decided to play on a rank turner as Steve O’Keefe had done the bulk of the damage.
“I have heard it will be a slow turner, which will not have much bounce. When the match might have been unfolding there (in Bengaluru), the curator here might have been told to put less water, use the grass mower, remove the grass, and prepare a pitch that helps the spinners,” Aakash Chopra said on his YouTube Channel.
“My small suggestion and request is that you shouldn’t prepare a rank turner because it becomes a lottery if you prepare a rank turner. If you play five days on a decent surface, your spin is better. However, if you give a rank turner, Ajaz Patel, Rachin Ravindra and Glenn Phillips will make your life difficult. They will play Mitchell Santner instead of three fast bowlers,” Chopra added.
On the other hand, the renowned commentator reckons Rachin Ravindra will be a serious threat. Ravindra returned with impressive scores of 134 and 39* in the opening Test and looked comfortable against the Indian spinners.
“Rachin Ravindra becomes a serious threat once again because he is batting extremely well. Devon Conway is playing very well. So that makes it two such players. Will Young has been a little surprising. I didn’t expect Will Young to bat that well. Kane Williamson is still unavailable,” he said.
Chopra noted that the pace duo of Matt Henry and William O’Rourke will once again pose a challenge to the Indian batters.
“In bowling, we will have to see what sort of combination they play, or else the same fast bowlers. O’Rourke has troubled us. He will again get bounce and will trouble us. Matt Henry is very consistent. Tim Southee is more of an all-rounder now because he doesn’t bowl that much,” Chopra elaborated.
India will take on New Zealand in the second Test at Pune from Thursday onwards.
