Former Indian opener Aakash Chopra was not at all impressed with India’s lower-middle order approach in the second innings of the third Test match against South Africa at Newlands, Cape Town on Thursday.
After Virat Kohli’s dismissal, India could only add another 46 runs to their total as they were skittled out for 198 runs.
Ravichandran Ashwin tried to go for an expensive cover drive and he was caught at gully. In fact, Ashwin had received a reprieve in the previous over but decided to be aggressive in his approach. Shardul Thakur was also dismissed when he tried to play straight down the ground.
Mohammed Shami decided to take on the short ball against Marco Jansen while Bumrah was also dismissed in a similar fashion. Only Umesh Yadav was dismissed while trying to defend. Chopra added that no one was asking all these batters to play aggressive shots and all they needed to do was stay out there in the middle with Rishabh Pant, who could have definitely scored more runs.
Aakash Chopra said on his YouTube Channel, “Kohli got out and after that, I was disappointed. When there was no expectation of runs from you and no one was asking you to score runs, then it is necessary for you to stand there. You only play shots when you are looking for runs.”
“If Rishabh Pant is playing with you, the pattern of the dismissals is that everyone was playing shots – whether it was Ashwin, Thakur, Bumrah or Shami. Only Umesh Yadav got out while defending, everyone else played shots.”
Chopra noted that even Virat Kohli was not playing shots when he was there in the middle with Rishabh Pant. Kohli faced a total of 143 runs to score 29 runs as he showed all the patience.
“Even Virat Kohli was not playing shots when he was there with Rishabh Pant. He can play shots but he was not doing that, he allowed him to play and stood at the other end.”
“Till the time Rishabh Pant was there, there was no need for you to go for runs. You might be thinking that a bowler has to take wickets and bat as well. I agree with you but if the team is getting all out and you have the bat in hand, it is also your responsibility to keep standing.”
Rishabh Pant scored a fine unbeaten knock of 100 runs off just 139 balls and there is no doubt that he could have scored more had he received more support from the lower-order batters.
