Former India opener turned famous commentator Aakash Chopra a few wickets could fall on the first day of the second Test between India and South Africa. However, Team India has lost three wickets on the first day of the Boxing Day Test after they chose to bat first.
The Centurion pitch was on the slower side but the Wanderers surface is likely to be fast and bouncy as well. Considering the nature of the pitch, Chopra expects that bowlers to have a good day.
He said that in a video shared on his YouTube channel: “Seven or more wickets will fall on the first day itself. The question will be there on what the captain should do after winning the toss. Batting first is always a great theory. You need to do a little walk the talk as it is slightly difficult on the first day, but Centurion also showed that if you play well, then bat first after winning the toss, you will be saved. The chase does not happen in the end; the wicket starts becoming up and down.”
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Aakash Chopra continued: “40 wickets will fall in this match, and in that, I feel fast bowlers will take 35 wickets. 30-plus wickets for fast bowlers. Spinners will not be of any use here. One batter to be dismissed off a bouncer because it is a very fast pitch. Whether it is ours or theirs, one batter will be caught either in the deep or by the keeper or short-leg, somewhere or the other.”
However, he also stated that he does not expect too many big partnerships on the opening day of the match as well. Meanwhile, he had opened up on Team India’s playing XI in Johannesburg Test. He had also stated that they should change their plan of having a five-bowler theory.
Aakash Chopra observed: “I feel one partnership of more than 50 will be there in the entire day. The chances are slightly less for it to be more than that.”
He explained: “This pitch is regarded as one of the fastest pitches in the world. Should India make a change in the XI? I would say you need to be a little pragmatic. You were going with the five-bowler theory till now, you may want to junk that theory right now because you might not need spin here.”
He said: “You might not need five bowlers here because the opposition batting is not that great and your batting is also not going that good. You don’t need five bowlers to dismiss the team in front of you and you might need an extra batter because your No.3 to No.6 have not scored a lot of runs if you talk about the last six months.”
While the Indian team has seen batting collapses in recent times, the veteran added that the middle order of Cheteshwar Pujara, Virat Kohli and Ajinkya Rahane needs to step up. And, he believes Team India should lengthen their batting order as well.
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Aakash Chopra said: “I am saying play six batters. You can play Pujara and Rahane, you should play them. Rishabh Pant scored 34 runs in the 2nd innings of the last match but the batting is still short, too many collapses are happening. Ashwin did pick up a couple of wickets in the end but he didn’t dismiss any top-order batter. The amount of bowling you will need on this Wanderers pitch, even Hanuma Vihari will do that much work. You had sent him to South Africa to get ready as well. It is the turn now to play an extra batter.”
“Go with proper four bowlers. You don’t need to play Shardul then, you play him because you need an all-rounder. But if you play Vihari and have Pant at No.7, you will have place for four proper bowlers. Umesh Yadav will be my pick,” Aakash Chopra concluded.
