Former Indian opener Aakash Chopra reckons Shreyas Iyer’s injury has suddenly opened Pandora’s box for the team management ahead of the first Test match against Australia. Iyer has been ruled out of the first Test match due to a back injury.
In Iyer’s absence, either an in-from Shubman Gill or Suryakumar Yadav can get their chance in the middle order. Gill had recently scored 360 runs in the three-match ODI series against New Zealand whereas SKY has also been in prolific form in the T20I format.
Aakash Chopra wants India to back Suryakumar Yadav at number five in the absence of Shreyas Iyer. He said on his YouTube Channel, “Shreyas Iyer’s injury is another problem. It has suddenly opened a Pandora’s box, that whom should you play. If a No. 5 batter is sitting outside in this team, it is Suryakumar Yadav.”
Chopra added KL Rahul is ahead of Shubman Gill in the pecking order. Rahul and Rohit are expected to open the innings for India in the first Test.
“Shubman Gill, Rohit Sharma, and KL Rahul are the openers. Who will open with Rohit? If you go with the pecking order, which we have seen this team do, they made Ishan Kishan sit out after scoring a double century as Shubman Gill had been consistently doing well, KL Rahul should open.”
Meanwhile, the renowned commentator feels Shubman Gill also makes a strong case for himself as he has been in sublime form. Gill also scored his maiden Test century against Bangladesh in 2022.
“Shubman Gill’s case is also very strong because he is coming after scoring runs in Bangladesh as well and no one has scored more runs than him in 2023.
“The guy is not taking the name of stopping. So you think you can get him to open. If he is made to open with Rohit Sharma, KL Rahul might be sent to bat down the order.”
Chopra feels India might not back Suryakumar Yadav to make his Test debut against a potent Australian team.
“The injury concerns are a slight spanner in the works. You can give a debut to Suryakumar Yadav, but I personally feel that first match with Australia in front, maybe you are not that confident.”
The first Test match will start on Thursday at Nagpur.
