Xtra Time Web Desk: Former India cricketer Aakash Chopra on Monday said the absence of a batting all rounder has been the cause of concern for Virat Kohli and his team in the ongoing tour to Australia so far. The Men in Blue were comprehensively beaten by Aaron Finch and his team in the first two ODIs which also enabled them to win the three match ODI series.
It was the third consecutive ODI where the opposition posted a 100-run opening stand against the Indian bowling attack. Former Indian opener Aakash Chopra has opined that the inability of bowlers to pick wickets in the beginning is a bigger concern for the Indian team along with the lack of genuine batting all-rounders in the lineup.
“If we look at the Indian bowling, it’s clear that we are unable to pick wickets with the new ball. How much time has gone? In the last three consecutive ODI matches, India has conceded a 100-run partnership at the top between the two openers,” said Aaakash Chopra on Xtra Time You Tube channel.
“If you don’t take wickets with the new ball, a wicket does not fall in the first 20-odd overs, then whomever you bowl doesn’t make a difference,” he added.
Chopra also spoke about the need of having a batting all rounder in the top six. With Hardik Pandya starting to bowl, there will be more bowling options for Virat Kohli. Earlier the Indian team management did try Shivam Dube and Vijay Shankar but both could not fit in top six batting positions.
“The biggest concern for the Indian team is they need to groom a batting all rounder who can fit in the top six positions. We have Dhawan and Rohit(once he is fit) followed by Virat, Shreyas, KL Rahul and Hardik. So you cannot get in either Dube or Shankar,” said Aakash.
He added, “You cannot have the luxury of playing three spinners in conditions like Australia, New Zealand, South Africa and England. So, ypu have to play either Kuldeep or Chahal along with Ravindra Jadeja.”
Aakash reckoned that if the strike bowlers aren’t among wickets, an additional bowler is not going to help.
“Although we saw Hardik Pandya bowling but it was too late. He took a wicket as well, he dismissed Steve Smith. But if your top bowlers don’t take wickets, what will the 6th, 7th or 8th option do,” said Chopra.
“So, this is a problem which is getting magnified by the lack of an all-rounder but first of all, how many of them do we have? And even if they available, where will you play them? If you don’t take wickets at the top, it is not going to help in the middle, doesn’t matter how many all-rounders you play,” he added.