Aakash Chopra says India can face another loss against South Africa if they prepare rank turner

Former Indian Test opener Aakash Chopra reckons India could face another loss against South Africa if they prepare a rank turner in the second Test match of the series. India was stunned by 30 runs in the opening Test at Eden Gardens, Kolkata.

On Sunday, India was bundled out for 93 runs in the run-chase of 124 as the batters could not deliver the goods on a spin-friendly pitch. In 2024, India were also whitewashed 3-0 by New Zealand after they had prepared spin friendly pitches.

Indian batters haven’t been able to get going on a difficult track and the decision to play on a rank turner back fired for the hosts.

“It’s a tough decision now. The story is different if you go after winning or drawing the first match. You have now reached the desperate zone. 50 percent points are still at stake from the WTC perspective, but for that, will you again prepare such a helpful pitch?” Aakash Chopra said on Star Sports.

“You got stuck yourself in the web you spun. If you do that, you might be beaten badly again. I think they are in a tricky spot. Shubman Gill’s injury has just added salt to the existing wounds that are open right now. I don’t have a correct answer as to what the Indian team would think now,” Chopra added.

Chopra also wondered whether Washington Sundar will continue to bat at one down in the second Test. Sundar returned with scores of 29 and 31 but bowled a solitary over in Kolkata Test after he played in place of Sai Sudharsan in the final XI.

“Very difficult. I have still not been able to understand whether they played Washi because they wanted to play four spinners or because Washi should have played at No. 3. Until that question is answered, it’s impossible to say why Washi played there,” he replied.

The renowned commentator questioned the team’s decision to drop Sai Sudharsan despite the left-hander scoring a fine knock of 87 runs against the West Indies.

“Washi played extremely well, considering this pitch. So he should continue, but Sai was saying that he scored 87 and 39 against the West Indies, so he also played well. So why was he left out? Was it a tactical call depending on the surface, or was it a tactical call that they didn’t have confidence in Sai, and they didn’t think he would score runs here? So I don’t know the answer,” Chopra observed.

India and South Africa will take on each other in the second Test at Barsapara Cricket Stadium, Guwahati, from Saturday onwards.