Aakash Chopra warns India against preparing dust bowl for Test series against South Africa

Former Indian Test opener Aakash Chopra has warned India against preparing rank turners for the two-match Test series against Australia. India registered a 2-0 series win against the West Indies after winning the second Test match at the Arun Jaitley Stadium, Delhi, on Tuesday.

Against the West Indies, India played on sporting pitches in both Test matches. While the hosts won the first Test match comprehensively in Ahmedabad by an innings and 140 runs, the Indian bowlers were made to work harder in the second Test at Delhi by the West Indies batters.

Meanwhile, not long ago, India suffered an ignominious loss against New Zealand in 2024, and they had to pay the price for preparing dust bowl tracks

“The next challenge is South Africa. They are already playing in Pakistan, where all the wickets, barring one, are taken by the spinners. So, they will be playing against spin, they have got three spinners. So, if you prepare a dust bowl, you may walk into a trap. You possibly can’t prepare a green top because again you will be up against a very good fast bowling unit,” Chopra commented on ESPN Cricinfo.

“While there are lessons to learn and a proper temptation to tinker with conditions, to prepare a surface that is more bowler-friendly, don’t think it is that viable an option against a team like South Africa, the Test champions, especially after they are coming from a tour of Pakistan,” the 48-year-old added.

Meanwhile, India won the second Test match against the West Indies by seven wickets after chasing 121 runs with ease. KL Rahul scored an unbeaten knock of 58 runs, whereas Sai Sudharsan scored 39 runs.

India will next take on Australia in three ODIs and five T20Is, with the first ODI to be played in Perth on Sunday.