The Indian captain Virat Kohli has always backed the strategy of playing with five proper bowlers, especially in overseas conditions.
The team has savored success with this playing combination of five bowlers and six batsmen. Kohli has stated on multiple occasions that picking 20 wickets is the first priority of the team.
The Indian captain has always been aggressive in his approach and has done well as a leader in overseas conditions. In fact, Kohli stated that playing an extra batsman will not make a major difference if the top order hasn’t been clicking for the team.
Meanwhile, as India has played with four fast bowlers in the last three Test matches, they have a long tail, which is leading to their downfall.
Thus, a lot of cricket experts believe that India should play Ravichandran Ashwin in the final XI for the Oval Test, as the pitch will provide assistance to the spinner and the all-rounder can also contribute with the bat while batting down the order.
Former Indian opener Aakash Chopra has stated that Kohli has won more matches than he has lost and has backed India to continue their playing combination of five bowlers.
Aakash Chopra said while talking on his YouTube Channel, “Captain Kohli has said that he will play five proper bowlers. He has got that mindset.
I am okay to live with it because Kohli has won more than he has lost. He has already become India’s most successful Test captain. We have got overseas victories in his captaincy which did not come earlier.”
“I don’t see Ishant Sharma playing. If you are going to play four fast bowlers, Shardul will play and if you want to play an extra spinner, Ashwin will play. But the whole scenario will change if Jaddu is not available.”
On the other hand, Cheteshwar Pujara was able to get back in some form as he scored 91 runs whereas Virat Kohli scored 55 runs in the second innings of the Leeds Test.
Furthermore, the Indian openers have been in good form in the ongoing series. Chopra feels the visitors have a lot of positives in the batting unit.
“It was quite bad for India at Leeds but I feel we have a lot of positives in batting. Rahul and Rohit have always scored runs if you leave one match for Rahul.
Pujara’s form is now back on track. 91 is a huge score and the manner in which he played, which is very very important, looked positive.”
“Virat Kohli, he has got runs although the big runs are missing and this pitch is absolutely ideal for him. Ajinkya Rahane – it is ideal for him as well.
Rishabh Pant is a question mark but he has scored runs on this ground. So, this might just be the lucky venue for him once again.”
