Former Indian batsman Aakash Chopra said that a wrong perception about Wriddhiman Saha and Rishabh Pant has deflated their international career in the recent past. Chopra said that Saha is seen as a better keeper than Pant in Australian conditions and Pant is seen as a better batsman. However, the former Indian batsman said neither of it is true. There are talks of bringing Pat in for Saha in the second test in Melbourne, however, the former Indian batsman said that he would not mind sticking with the Bengal keeper.
In a video, which he shared on his own Facebook page, Aakash Chopra said that a wrong impression has been created that Pant cannot keep wickets or that Saha cannot bat.
“This is one change that can probably happen. I am not advocating that but just starting a conversation. Since Virat Kohli is leaving, you will play Shubman Gill or KL Rahul instead of him. So, your batting has already become weaker,” Chopra said in a reply to a question from a fan in a video uploaded on his Facebook page.
“Your openers are already not firing. So, when you see this combination, you can go towards Pant. But even if you play Saha, I am not going to criticise you even once. If you want to play a better keeper at No.7, that is Saha. It is not the case that Saha cannot bat, and it is not that Pant can’t keep wickets,” Chopra added.
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Aakash Chopra on Rishabh Pant
On Pant, Chopra said that a wrong atmosphere has been created around the left-hander being a bad keeper, which is not true in any sense.
“Till now, the atmosphere has been created that Pant is a bad keeper. How is that the case, as he takes very good catches, and last time on the Australian tour, he had taken the maximum catches; and Saha cannot bat; how can he not as he has a Test century” Chopra added.
The absence of Virat Kohli from the last three tests is making the team management think about ringing in a number of other changes apart from finding an able replacement for the Indian skipper at number four. The MCG test begins next Saturday.
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