Aakash Chopra advocated for a neutral pitch in the first India-England Test, emphasizing that an obsession with rank turners, similar to the World Cup final, can be detrimental.
As the excitement builds for the upcoming Test series between India and England, former Indian opener Aakash Chopra has offered a crucial piece of advice to the host team: avoid the temptation of preparing overly spin-friendly pitches.
On his YouTube channel, Chopra expressed concerns about fixating on pitch conditions, citing potential drawbacks. He pointed out that such an approach had previously backfired, referencing the World Cup final where India’s defeat was attributed to a pitch favoring them. Emphasizing the need for a result-oriented pitch, Chopra urged the team management to prioritize fairness over a surface heavily biased towards the home side.
“The match has a few big threads. The biggest thread is how the pitch should be. Should rank turners be made? I am saying and have been saying for a long time – you lost the World Cup final also due to your obsession with the pitch. Preparing a pitch favoring you cost you the finals,” Chopra said.
“You might say this is a different format. It’s not about the format but the habit. You become complacent. Just give one instruction to the curator – make a pitch that yields a result. It shouldn’t be a road-like pitch,” he added.
Acknowledging India’s strength in player comparison, Chopra also expressed reservations about England’s spin attack, casting doubt on their ability to take 20 wickets in the upcoming series. Ultimately, Chopra concluded that India is poised to win the series comfortably, raising concerns about England’s chances unless they address their challenges in the spin department.
Last Updated on January 24, 2024
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