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Chopra emphasised that Ravichandran Ashwin and Ravindra Jadeja are ageing spinners. He suggested a transition phase could kick in soon to find suitable replacements for the two all-rounders.
Ravichandran Ashwin and Ravindra Jadeja. (Picture Credit: PTI)
Former cricketer Aakash Chopra said that India were simply outbowled in the 2nd Test against New Zealand and lost the series. A collective failure from Team India saw them lose the Pune Test to the Kiwis by 113 runs.
Speaking about the defeat on his YouTube channel, Chopra talked about how only Washington Sundar from India’s bowling unit had a say during the 2nd Test.
“You believe spin is our strength. However, are we bowling spin well? That is another big question because we were outbowled. Of course, Washington Sundar changed the game totally. He bowled a few overs and picked up a lot of wickets. You say ‘brilliant’ when you see his performance,” the cricketer-turned-commentator said.
Speaking further, Aakash Chopra emphasised that Ravichandran Ashwin and Ravindra Jadeja are ageing spinners. He suggested a transition phase could kick in soon to find suitable replacements for the two all-rounders.
“However, if Ravindra Jadeja and Ravichandran Ashwin are playing together and don’t do that well, you start feeling, although Ravichandran Ashwin was the Player of the Series recently. He works his way out. However, the question is going to come very soon that there will be a transition for them as well. They are the ageing spinners,” Chopra added.
Aakash Chopra felt that the replacements for Ashwin and Jadeja needed to be groomed. Chopra was also vocal about how he was happy to see Washington Sundar get an opportunity but didn’t feel the same about Kuldeep Yadav being dropped.
“I feel India are missing a trick. Ashwin will go first because he is older. Jadeja is fitter and younger as well. So he will stay for longer. You need to start grooming. You started giving a chance to Washington Sundar now but you didn’t do the right thing with Kuldeep,” he said.
During the second Test, Ravichandran Ashwin found an early impact in New Zealand’s first innings. He claimed the wickets of Tom Latham, Devon Conway and Will Young. Next, Washington Sundar stepped up with impressive figures of 7/59 to curb the Kiwis at 259. Sundar’s brilliant form followed him in the second innings where he racked up another four wickets. Despite the all-rounder’s brilliant spell, India failed to show up with the bat to lose the game by 113 runs.
Rohit Sharma and Gautam Gambhir will now have their focus set on winning the 3rd Test against New Zealand. The final fixture will be played at the Wankhede Stadium in Mumbai from November 1.
