Aakash Chopra opens up on Gautam Gambhir’s tenure as India’s head coach

Former Indian Test opener Aakash Chopra said it would be too early to judge Gautam Gambhir’s stint as a Test coach. While India has produced consistent performances in the white-ball formats under Gambhir, the former Indian opener has had a mixed tenure as a Test coach.

India has won the Champions Trophy and Asia Cup but the home Test series loss against New Zealand was a big blow. Team India also suffered a 3-1 series loss against Australia. However,  Chopra highlighted that India performed above expectations on the England tour with a 2-2 series result.

India recently defeated the West Indies by 2-0 while playing at home and Chopra believes Gambhir’s Test record will improve with time.

 “The white-ball numbers are phenomenal. If we see the team under him, whether it’s the Asia Cup or the Champions Trophy, the winning run in T20Is, or scoring 250-odd runs, the white-ball numbers are outstanding, but the Test numbers are going to improve gradually,” Chopra said on his YouTube Channel.

“I think it was very good in England. The series ended 2-2. I thought it exceeded expectations. I didn’t expect we would do so well, but we did. So I would say thumbs up with both hands. When Gautam has taken coaching, India are going through a transition, and it’s a tough transition,” he added.

On the other hand, the renowned commentator reckons India can afford to play a specialist player at number eight in Test cricket. India is backing an extra batter in the white-ball format at the number eight spot.

“A batter is required at No. 8 in white-ball cricket. So please have a batter there. Allow a batter to be there at No. 8. T20s and ODIs is okay. In Test cricket, you can always play a specialist. A batter isn’t required after No. 7,” he responded.

Chopra said India should back Kuldeep Yadav at number eight in Test cricket.

“Kuldeep bats a little, and that is enough. Even if you play three proper bowlers after that, that is enough. A batter isn’t required at No. 8 in Test cricket, and if your bowling is weakened because of that, it’s not required at all. If you get stuck any time that you aren’t getting a batter at No. 8, I will go towards playing an extra bowler sometimes,” Chopra observed.

India will next take on Australia in a three-match ODI series.