“Shardul And Ashwin Will Together Score More Than 40 Runs” – Aakash Chopra Makes Prediction For Day 2

Former Team India cricketer Aakash Chopra believes India will score more than 350 runs in the first innings of the Boxing Day Test at the SuperSport Park in Centurion. The visiting side has made a solid start to the tour putting on 273/3 on the board at the end of day 1.

Opting to bat first, KL Rahul and Mayank Agarwal gave India a swashbuckling start adding on 100+ runs. Although South Africa came back, Rahul ensured India were always on top. He remained unbeaten on 122 runs with Ajinkya Rahane giving him good company at 40.

In a video shared on his YouTube channel, Aakash Chopra predicted that India will post a challenging total in the first innings to put the home side on the backfoot.

“I feel India will score more than 350 runs. Well done, this is phenomenal. After that, I feel Shardul and Ashwin will together score more than 40 runs. Yes, Shardul Thakur is playing, which means India has gone in with four fast bowlers. Slightly brave decision but might just work in the end because now you have bowlers who can take 20 wickets,” Aakash Chopra said. 

Incidentally, Shardul Thakur has made some telling contributions with the bat in the limited opportunities that came his way since the tour of Australia. Ravichandran Ashwin, on the other hand, is well-known for frustrating the bowlers by chipping in with useful contributions in the lower order.

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“I feel India will dismiss four opposition batters by end of play” – Aakash Chopra

The cricketer-turned-commentator further stated that Kagiso Rabada, who remained wicketless on day 1, will end up picking up two wickets on the second day.

“Kagiso Rabada to pick 2 wickets. The first day was not that good. They didn’t pick up too many wickets but I feel he will win the deal on the second day,” Aakash Chopra added.

He also expects the Indian bowlers to get rid of the South African top-order batters by the close of play on Day 2.

“Last but not the least, I feel India will dismiss four opposition batters by end of play on the second day. The conditions might become a little favorable for batting but I feel the Indian bowling is much better than the opposition bowling,” Aakash Chopra concluded.