Former Indian opener Aakash Chopra criticized Ravichandran Ashwin and Ravindra Jadeja for not making the most of the conditions in Hyderabad. India lost the first Test by 28 runs and are trailing in the five-match series.
Ashwin and Jadeja took three wickets each in the first innings, while Axar Patel and Jasprit Bumrah took two each. In the second innings, when the pitch was helping the spinners more than in the first innings, Ashwin took three wickets, while Jadeja took two and Axar just one for 74 runs.
Chopra criticized that the Indian spinners only took 14 wickets in the match, while the very inexperienced English spinners took 18. Tom Hartley on debut took seven wickets and 7 wickets in the second innings to help. England win the match. This was after he scored 131 runs in 25 overs in the first innings.
“Bumrah picked up four wickets. It was the fourth day of a test match in India where the innings were being talked about, there his fast bowler picked up four wickets and six wickets in the entire match. You had top spin but the opposing spinners took 18 Indian wickets and the Indian spinners could only take 14 wickets.” Chopra said.
He further criticized the Indian spinners for not making the most of the conditions in the second innings. England scored 420 in their second innings thanks to Ollie Pope’s brilliant 196. The English batsmen batted in partnership and mastered the art of playing spin with some unorthodox shots.
“In the second innings, the Indian spinners could only get six wickets. In my opinion, that was a small problem. Jasprit Bumrah is phenomenal, there’s no doubt about that, but what are everyone else doing? That’s a question.” added the former India opener.
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India thought 230 was not a great score: Aakash Chopra
Analyzing India’s defeat, Chopra further said that the Men in Blue did not believe 230 was a big total as they allowed singles to be taken easily, questioning India’s defensive positions on the field on the fourth day.
“The Indian team thought 230 is not such a big score. That’s why they allowed singles to be taken easily. Half and half were back and everyone was waiting for a wicket to fall. “They waited before also taking the new ball.” Chopra added.
The cricketer-turned-commentator said England could have been more dangerous if they had scored more in the first innings. The visitors scored 247 in the first innings, a phase in which India was on top in the Test match.
“The opposing team showed that they can face you. They would think that if they had played better in the first innings, they could have caused even more problems for India. They did it after conceding a lead of 190 runs.” concluded the former Indian opener.
India has fallen to fifth position in the WYC points table after the first Test loss in Hyderabad. England have collected some crucial points but still sit in eighth place. The second Test begins in Vizag on February 2.
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