Former India cricketer Aakash Chopra has expressed his disappointment after Virat Kohli didn’t open the bowling with his best bowlers – Jasprit Bumrah and Mohammed Shami on day 3 of 1st Test at Trent Bridge.
After securing a crucial 95-run lead in the first-innings, India had 11 bowlers to go at the English batters before rain played spoilsport. Bumrah and Mohammed Siraj opened with the new ball before Tea, unlike Bumrah and Shami, in the first innings.
That's about it on Day 3⃣ of the first #ENGvIND Test at Trent Bridge!
Rain has cut short the day's play, with England moving to 2⃣5⃣/0⃣ – trailing #TeamIndia by 7⃣0⃣ runs.
Scorecard 👉 https://t.co/TrX6JMzP9A pic.twitter.com/vNIfN11KqP
— BCCI (@BCCI) August 6, 2021
Siraj and Shami bowled three overs each after the break. England openers remain and added 25 runs as well, however, still trail by 70 runs. Speaking on his YouTube channel, Aakash Chopra questioned India’s tactics. He said:
“95 run lead is sizeable, it’s not a huge lead but it’s not bad either. But after that, I was slightly disappointed because why didn’t they start with Bumrah and Shami? It was just a six-over spell before Tea and that’s when you have to crack it. Nothing against Siraj, I love him but starting with your best bowlers could have been the wiser thing to do.”
Adding further, Aakash Chopra was surprised to see the line and length attempted by the Indian bowlers in the second essay.
“Even after Tea, it just kept rotating plus there was too much bowling from around the stumps, they had to try a bit from over the stumps as well,” Aakash Chopra added.
Aakash Chopra showers praise on Ravindra Jadeja
Aakash Chopra also showered praise on Ravindra Jadeja, following his impressive show with the bat. The all-rounder from Saurashtra played a crucial hand of 56 runs from 86 balls, including eight boundaries and one six.
“All praise will fall short for him. There was a debate before the match started and I was also of the opinion that India should have played Ashwin. I asked for two spinners. But you just played Jaddu and he has silenced his critics. How can you not play him now? The way he batted, all the runs were on the on-side. ‘He was leaving, blocking and respecting all off-side deliveries and forcing the bowlers to bowl at his strength and then score runs. Maturity has been a game-changer for Ravindra Jadeja, the Test player,” he added.
