Aakash Chopra urges India to not prepare rank turners for West Indies Tests

Former Indian Test opener Aakash Chopra urged India to not prepare rank turners in two Test matches against West Indies. Team India was stunned by New Zealand by 3-0 in 2024 as the home team’s batters could not deliver on turning tracks.

The renowned commentator reckons preparing such pitches backfires as it brings the two teams closer in the contest. India has an immaculate record in home conditions and they would look to continue their domination.

“The biggest thing is what sort of pitches you want to play on in these two matches. We got stuck in Bengaluru when the pitch had a lot of moisture. Then we went to Pune and Mumbai and played on turners, and got stuck in both places. Why do you have to make such pitches?” Chopra said on his YouTube Channel.

“Such pitches are not required at all because the more bowler-friendly pitches you make, the closer the teams come. Yoy are playing in the subcontinent. So the ball will turn. However, if it turns from the first ball and the soil starts coming out, stay away from that kind of a surface because that surface is counterproductive,” he added.

Chopra reckons India should play on sporting pitches even if it means that they would need to work a bit harder.

“You should play on good pitches where you will have to work a little hard. If the match doesn’t get over in three days, so be it. It’s a five-day match. It’s absolutely fine if it’s a three-and-a-half to four-and-a-half day game,” he said.

The former Delhi cricketer said extreme pitches led to Virat Kohli and Cheteshwar Pujara’s downfall in Test cricket in the latter stages of their career.

“I will be very honest, if you see Virat Kohli or Cheteshwar Pujara’s careers, you will find that the runs they didn’t score in the end for a long time, the main reason for that was the Indian pitches. When you make such pitches in India, where runs aren’t scored, you don’t get confidence, and runs won’t be scored overseas in any case,” Chopra observed.

The opening Test against the West Indies will be played at Ahmedabad from October 2 onwards.