ENG vs IND: Aakash Chopra picks Team India’s openers for Test series

Although a week has gone by to India’s World Test Championship (WTC) Final loss against New Zealand, discussions refuse to die as to what might have possibly happened if a certain player was picked or what might have happened if the batters would have shown more application. Now, former India cricketer Aakash Chopra too has joined the bandwagon and has spoken about the 21-year-old opener, Shubman Gill.

The right-hand batter, of late, has copped a bit of criticism for not being able to deliver the goods after his epic innings of 91 at the Gabba Down Under. Since then, Gill has scored a single fifty in the last five Tests, and the questions regarding how long the selectors and management might persist with him at the top, have started to gain voices.

Speaking on his YouTube channel, Chopra was asked by a fan if Team India should have gone for the more experienced player in KL Rahul instead of the 21-year-old youngster. The former India opener answered Gill was the right choice along with the other opener Rohit Sharma. Interestingly Gill started his first innings by defending well against the likes of Tim Southee and Trent Boult, before falling to Neil Wagner. He scored 36 runs across both the innings and Chopra felt he looked good in the middle till he lasted.

“Shubman Gill should have definitely played. I feel he should definitely be playing the first Test against England as well. Shubman Gill and Rohit Sharma was the right combination.”

The 43-year-old also mentioned that indeed Gill was the right choice even though he had middling numbers during India’s home Test series against England.

“It did not work out; if we look back the path always looks better on the rear-view mirror but whoever has to select the team has to look ahead and not behind,” Chopra added.

I am going with what the team did: Aakash Chopra

India now shifts its attention to the five-match Test series against England and Chopra has backed Gill to open in at least the opening Test which starts on August 4. Apart from Gill, India has Mayank Agarwal and KL Rahul as the other openers. Chopra concluded by saying Agarwal should get a go-ahead if Gill doesn’t play the Tests against England.

“Shubman Gill with Rohit Sharma was the right decision. Shubman Gill with Rohit Sharma will be the right decision for the first Test match also. I am going with what the team did.”