Former India opener Aakash Chopra has predicted a poor outing with the bat for David Warner in the upcoming four-match Test series between India and Australia. The much-anticipated series for the Border-Gavaskar Trophy is scheduled to get underway on Thursday (February 9) in Nagpur.
David Warner is one of the most experienced players in the Australian team and is also one of the best all-format players in the world. His record in Tests in India, however, tells a different story. The southpaw has experienced a tough time in Tests that he has played in India so far.
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In 16 Tests innings in India, David Warner has managed to score only 388 runs at an average of just over 24 and highest score of 71.
Aakash Chopra on David Warner’s struggles:
While David Warner will be desperate to improve his Test record in India, Aakash Chopra believes that it would be tough for the southpaw. The former cricketer-turned-commentator began by analysing David Warner’s batting technique before explaining the reason behind his struggle in India.
“Why is Test batting so difficult for him in India? Warner’s story is the sort of playing style he has, his front foot doesn’t go forward much and his hands go towards the ball, which is his natural way of playing,” Aakash Chopra said on JioCinema.
“He hit a double century against South Africa recently, so it works if there is bounce on the pitch. It is, of course, slightly difficult at the start but if the pitch has bounce and good pace, then his playing style – on the rise, through the line – he is brilliant,” he further added.
Speaking further, Chopra stated that David Warner’s struggles in India are likely to continue, saying: “In India, you can neither play through the line nor on the bounce, because there is no life in the pitch. You try to hit hard but the ball stops there only, especially the red SG Test ball and the sort of pitches we play on, there you don’t get opportunities to play too many shots.”
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