Former India player turned commentator Aakash Chopra has backed KL Rahul to stretch his Test average over the 40-run mark as well. The opener made a strong start on Day 1 of the first Test against the West Indies, scoring an unbeaten 53 off 114 runs at the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad as well.

“In my opinion, this is a very important series for KL Rahul, an average of 35 does not suit him at all. It is wrong, and if he needs to better it, then he has to write his name in this series, and he batted in that way today. The backfoot punch that he plays, no one in international cricket plays it better than him. Through this series and the South Africa one, Rahul has to boost his average to 42 to 45,” Aakash Chopra said on his YouTube channel. “Yashasvi looked good at the crease. He is a player who likes the cut, so he was able to make the runs, and was free-flowing as well, but one outside edge ended his stay.”

However, Team India brought a surprise in their playing XI for the series opener by naming six bowling options, which also included the pace-bowling allrounder Nitish Kumar Reddy as well. Left-handed batter Devdutt Padikkal missed out as well.

“This was India’s chance to play six batters. India went for a lot of bowling, six bowling options. Personally, I feel that you don’t need six bowlers against a team like the West Indies. Five is more than enough. It was a chance for India to bring in Padikkal. They just love all-rounders. India should bat the whole day tomorrow, and for a little while on Day 3, bat so much that you only need to bat once,” Aakash Chopra concluded.