Aakash Chopra, the former opener, commends the Indian cricket team for their reluctance to grumble about challenging pitches. According to Chopra, the adverse pitch conditions have prompted Rohit Sharma & Co. to exhibit their finest performances.
India faced a disheartening defeat against South Africa in Centurion, losing by an innings and 32 runs within three days. However, they made a stunning comeback, securing a seven-wicket triumph on a challenging pitch in Cape Town, characterized by inconsistent bounce and excessive seam movement. This victory marked India’s first win in Cape Town after seven unsuccessful attempts and leveled the two-match series at 1-1.
Reflecting on the quality of pitches, Chopra mentioned, “Despite the discussions and questions arising due to the one-and-a-half-day Test match, India has never grumbled about the pitch quality. Whether it was the Wanderers’ extremely harsh pitch or the recent challenging pitch at Cape Town, India chose not to complain.”
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“Even on horrendous pitches like the one in Perth, where the ball soared above the keeper’s head, India refrained from making complaints. Instead, they focused on the game, displaying commendable fighting spirit. However, such pitches, including the dust bowls in India, don’t serve the best interests of the game,” Chopra expressed on the ‘#AAKASHVANI‘ show on JioCinema.
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Regarding the series, Jasprit Bumrah’s remarkable comeback in Test cricket saw him claim 12 wickets, sharing the Player of the Series award. Chopra shed light on what sets Bumrah apart, attributing his success to his distinctive bowling action and impeccable foot bracing, which contributes to his exceptional pace and late point of release.
While acknowledging Bumrah’s excellence, Chopra also observed Prasidh Krishna’s missed opportunity to solidify his place in the Test team during the South Africa tour. Despite debuting in the format, Prasidh struggled to find consistency, securing only two wickets in the series.
Chopra wrapped up by highlighting the significance of aggression among batters in Cape Town. He emphasized that an aggressive approach, showcased by Kohli, Markram, Gill, or Rohit, proved more effective in capitalizing on scoring opportunities compared to adopting a survival mode on such challenging pitches.
-IANS
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