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“It could be a breakout series for him” – Aakash Chopra on KL Rahul
By SMCS - Jun 20, 2025 1:00 pm
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Former India player Aakash Chopra has picked India’s likely top six for the first Test against England. While saying that KL Rahul is one of the openers, he added that it could be a breakout series for him as well. The first Test between India and England will take place in Leeds from Friday, June 20, onwards.

KL Rahul
KL Rahul

In a video shared on his YouTube channel ‘Aakash Chopra,’ he said, “Based on all the practice sessions and side games we have seen thus far, it’s clear that KL Rahul and Yashasvi Jaiswal will be the two openers. There is no argument whatsoever about there being any scope for a change there. There is no reason to change it as well. KL Rahul is playing extremely well.”

“He had himself volunteered to play the second match. He went there and scored a century, scored a fifty in the second innings, and scored runs in the intra-squad match as well. It could be a breakout series for him, where he just doesn’t start well, but bats well throughout the series,” he again shared.

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He also added that he isn’t too concerned about Jaiswal, although he said that Jaiswal hasn’t been among the runs on the tour sofar and will be tested in his maiden series in England as well.

“Yashasvi Jaiswal will be there with him. I am not worried or concerned, but he hasn’t scored runs thus far, whether it was the side games or the intra-squad match, and it’s his first England series. Questions will be asked and more questions will be asked at the Leeds ground,” Chopra shared.

Shubman Gill and Gautam Gambhir
Shubman Gill and Gautam Gambhir

However, Aakash Chopra added that Shubman Gill will bat at No. 4, although he hasn’t stated that yet.

“Shubman Gill used to play at No. 3. He hasn’t said thus far that he won’t play at No. 3. If the captain wants to continue playing at No. 3, it’s his number. He had only asked for this number. He can go from No. 3 to No. 4, but there is no such news thus far. However, I feel he will go,” he said.

“There will be a toss-up between Sai Sudharsan and Karun Nair at No. 3. Karun Nair can play at No. 3, but he doesn’t play at No. 3 even for his Ranji Trophy team. He has scored runs against this team, but not at No. 3. I am still saying Sai Sudarshan at No. 3 as a slight outside chance. Then Shubman Gill at No. 4 and Rishabh Pant at No. 5. At No. 6, I think Karun Nair. I feel the team might go a little conservative in the first match. The ambitious plan would be to keep Nitish Kumar Reddy at No. 6, and then Ravindra Jadeja plus four fast bowlers,” he observed.