Aakash Chopra, former Indian opener-turned-commentator has suggested his playing XI for the Indian team in the first Test against South Africa. Aakash Chopra picked Hanuma Vihari and Shreyas Iyer ahead of Ajinkya Rahane in the playing XI.
However, both out of form Ajinkya Rahane and Cheteshwar Pujara were picked while Hanuma Vihari and Shreyas Iyer were left out from XI.
Aakash Chopra Wanted Shreyas Iyer And Hanuma Vihari To Play Ahead Of Ajinkya Rahane In The 1st Test But His Wish Wasn’t Fulfilled
Ajinkya Rahane has gone through a lean patch with the bat since his match-winning hundred against Australia in last year’s Boxing Day Test and has even lost his vice-captaincy. Ajinkya Rahane has had a horror run with the bat over the last year, which has seen his average dip to under 40(39.3). In fact, he averages a mere 19.57 in 12 Tests in 2021, his lowest average in a year since debuting in 2013.
Shreyas Iyer had a magnificent debut against New Zealand where he slammed a hundred and a fifty in the two innings of his first Test, while Hanuma Vihari, who scored three half-centuries for India A against South Africa A, is also a strong contender to make the cut but were not considered for the 1st Test.
“The biggest question for the Indian team is how many batters to play. I will not play Rahane even if you play six batters. I am going with Hanuma Vihari because you had sent him to South Africa, just to get some form and to get acclimatized, and he scored runs,” Aakash Chopra said in a video shared on his YouTube channel.
“You gave Shreyas Iyer a debut and he made a century and a fifty and consolidated his position. Rahane, of course, is the senior guy but he is no longer the vice-captain. I would like to play six batters, and I would like to play Shreyas Iyer and Hanuma Vihari,” Aakash Chopra added.
“In my opinion, the team should be Mayank Agarwal, KL Rahul, Cheteshwar Pujara, Virat Kohli, Shreyas Iyer, Hanuma Vihari, Rishabh Pant, Ravichandran Ashwin, three fast bowlers – Shami, Bumrah and Siraj.”
Making his Test debut in 2018, Hanuma Vihari has played 12 matches in the format, 11 overseas, and scored 624 runs at an average of 32.84 with one hundred and four fifties.
Aakash Chopra’s Wish To Include Shardul Thakur In Indian XI If India Wanted 5 Bowlers Though Was Fulfilled
Aakash Chopra added that Shardul Thakur would be the best choice to play the first Test for India against South Africa in Centurion along with Mohammed Shami, Mohammed Siraj, Jasprit Bumrah, and Ravichandran Ashwin.
Shardul Thakur has been in excellent form with the ball this year in Tests, having taken 14 wickets from 3 games at an average of 22.07 and scored 232 runs with the bat at 37.20.
“KL Rahul said they wanted to play five bowlers. If you want to play five bowlers, you will play Shami, Bumrah, Siraj, you will have to play Shardul Thakur – you cannot go with two spinners and Ravichandran Ashwin.”
India won the toss and opted to bat first against South Africa in Centurion. The opening pair of Mayank Agarwal and KL Rahul was watchful early on with South Africa bowlers erring by not making them play more frequently.
Mayank Agarwal was a little more adventurous going for his shots whenever there was a chance while KL Rahul was happy to be cautious. Mayank Agarwal, with seven fours, has made 46 off 84 while KL Rahul, the more watchful of the two, has struck four fours in his 29 off 84. India was 83/0 in 28 overs in the 1st session after opting to bat first at Centurion’s SuperSport Park under overcast skies.