Suryakumar Yadav May Not Be In India’s Starting 11 In 4th Oval Test Unlike Ravichandran Ashwin: Aakash Chopra

Aakash Chopra feels Suryakumar Yadav does not stand a chance to make Team India’s playing XI for the fourth Test against England.

The Indian middle-order batsmen have not covered themselves with glory over the last couple of years. There have been calls from various cricket experts for the inclusion of Hanuma Vihari or Suryakumar Yadav in the playing XI.

Aakash Chopra. (Photo Source: Twitter)

Aakash Chopra Is A Little Biased Towards Suryakumar Yadav But Questions Who Will He Replace In The Starting XI

In a video shared on his YouTube channel, Aakash Chopra was asked if the inclusion of Suryakumar Yadav and Ravichandran Ashwin is inevitable considering the heavy loss at Leeds.

He responded: “Suryakumar Yadav – no, not going to happen. I am a little biased towards him, I like him but you will play him in place of whom? Will you play a sixth batsman?”

Suryakumar Yadav (Instagram)

The former India opener reasoned that none of the top six batsmen can be left out of the playing XI.

Aakash Chopra elaborated: “You will not touch anyone who is playing – Rohit, Rahul, Pujara, Kohli, Rahane and Rishabh Pant – all these six are going to play. If this top six remains, there is no place.”

Suryakumar Yadav or Hanuma Vihari might come into the Indian team’s scheme of things if they consider playing an extra batsman. The latter should ideally be preferred in such a scenario, considering the fighting knock he played at Sydney. Although he is yet to play Tests, Suryakumar Yadav has a compelling record in first-class cricket, scoring 5326 runs in 77 first-class games at 44.01, with 14 tons.

In his brief international career, the 30-year-old middle-order batsman has played 3 ODIs where he amassed 124 runs averaging 62 and 4 T20Is where he amassed 139 runs averaging 46.33.

While Cheteshwar Pujara and Ajinkya Rahane have played 14 Tests each since the beginning of 2020 and average 26.25 and 27.56 runs per innings, Virat Kohli averages a poor 24.68 in 11 Tests. India’s No. 3, 4, and 5 have just one century between them during this period – Ajinkya Rahane’s 112 in Melbourne – when the team has played seven Tests against England, four against Australia, and three against New Zealand.

Aakash Chopra: Ravichandran Ashwin May Be Included In Favourable Oval Pitch

On the flip side, Aakash Chopra feels Ravichandran Ashwin could be in the Indian think tank’s thoughts. Aakash Chopra highlighted that the Oval pitch could assist Ravichandran Ashwin

He reasoned: “About Ashwin, you are going to the Oval. The ball turns there and the pitch is a little flat. He played for Surrey as well and knows the pitch also, that is a definite consideration.”

Ravichandran Ashwin, Ravindra Jadeja Photo Credit: AP

However, the 43-year-old added that the off-spinner’s inclusion would depend on the pitch and the combination the Indian team wants to go in with.

Aakash Chopra observed: “But until you see the pitch, I don’t think you can have an answer, whether it is a four fast-bowler pitch or two spinners if they are going for five bowlers. If you are going to play four bowlers and want to play just the one spinner, then the question will be to go towards Jaddu or Ashwin.”

Ravindra Jadeja got a knee scan done after suffering an injury while fielding during the Headingley Test. The extent of his injury could also play a role in Ashwin’s inclusion in the playing XI.

The contenders for a place in the Playing 11 for the 4th Test are Suryakumar Yadav, Prithvi Shaw, Mayank Agarwal, Wriddhiman Saha, Ravichandran Ashwin, and Hanuma Vihari. The likes of Jasprit Bumrah and Mohammed Siraj have played all three Test matches and maybe rested or rotated. The other one who could sit out is Ishant Sharma. Umesh Yadav, Shardul Thakur, and Prasidh Krishna may replace them.

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