England vs India five-match test series is all set to kickstart from August 4 at Trent Bridge, Nottingham. After having lost the ICC World Test Championship finals last month, the Indian team will be looking to make a fresh start. Former India cricketer Aakash Chopra feels wicket-keeper batsman KL Rahul might get an opportunity to bat in the middle order.
KL Rahul recently scored a hundred playing against the County Select XI in the warm-up match at Durham. In a video uploaded on Aakash Chopra’s Youtube Channel, he was asked about KL Rahul’s chances of featuring in the side. The former India cricketer replied:
“KL Rahul can get an opportunity. There is an opening in India’s in the middle order, which is why they have sent Suryakumar Yadav, Prithvi Shaw. Abhimanyu Easwaran is not in form, Mayank Agarwal and Rohit Sharma‘s opening partnership is also new. If you see down the order, Hanuma Vihari will score runs or not, If you play 6 batters then maybe you will need an extra batsman. So there is a chance for KL Rahul. I am pretty hopeful by the time this series ends he will get an opportunity.”
Importance of playing Test cricket 👍
Being amongst runs in the practice game 👌
Memories of the 2018 England tour 😊Ahead of the #ENGvIND series, @klrahul11 speaks about his red-ball preparations & more 😎 – by @RajalArora
Full video 🎥 👇#TeamIndia https://t.co/nmrkWsmp7A pic.twitter.com/vCBhm2164i
— BCCI (@BCCI) July 27, 2021
England all-rounder Ben Stokes has withdrawn from the test series to focus on his mental wellbeing and recovery from his finger injury. The left-hander’s absence will disturb England’s balance feels Aakash Chopra. He said:
“England will be troubled. Ben Stokes is one of the best in tests. If you look at the 21st-century all-rounders, then there will be Jacques Kallis and right behind him will be Ben Stokes. He is the No. 1 all-rounder at the moment. He can bat at number 5, pick 2-3 wickets in English conditions, and also is a great fielder. So the balance of the team will get disturbed for England. You need to play two players to replace him. India should take advantage of Ben Stokes’s absence.”
The series will be 3-2 in favour of India: Aakash Chopra
Aakash Chopra predicted that the series will end 3-2 in India’s favor. India hasn’t won a Test series in England since 2007. On the last three tours, they have managed to win only two matches out of fifteen. The Indian team will be keen to change their fortunes this time around.
“My prediction is Indian will win. India should win, it will be 3-2 in favour of India. I known, it is a bit ambitious because it’s England, with the rain factor but there will be a result even if we get four days. I think India can repeat the 2007 feat this series,” Chopra signed off.
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