India’s Batting Seems “Low Spirited”: Aakash Chopra On Second Test Performance | Cricket News

Former India batter Aakash Chopra was disappointed with India’s batting performance on Day 3 of the second Test vs England in Visakhapatnam. England were set a target of 399 on Sunday but in the afternoon session, it seemed they would end up chasing a lot more. India were 227 for six at Tea for a lead of 370 runs, but could only manage 28 runs in 14.3 overs in the final session with their long tail not wagging again. The Rohit Sharma-led side was bowled out for 255 runs in its second innings.

“India lost all their 10 wickets on a flat Day 3 surface. They could make only 255 runs. It was slightly heartbreaking. Hosle thode se past lag rhe hain (Batting seems low spirited). Yashasvi Jaiswal – 17, Rohit Sharma – 13, Shreyas Iyer – 29, Rajat Patidar – 9 and Srikar Bharat – 6,” said Chopra on his YouTube channel.

“Axar Patel did score runs in the middle. Yashasvi scored runs in the first innings and Shubman Gill scored a century in the second innings but the other players’ contribution has been extremely ordinary. It’s been four innings in this Test series and we haven’t seized the advantage even once,” he added.

India’s questionable batting approach left the door ajar for England’s bazballers to go for a record yet achievable 399-run target in the second Test in Visakhapatnam, the hosts once again allowing their fearless opponents to come back into the game.

Like the series opener, India had the opportunity to bat the Englishmen out of the match after Shubman Gill’s 104 off 147 balls but their inexplicable batting approach in the final session of third day raised the visiting team’s hopes.

On expected lines, England came out attacking through openers Zak Crawley (29 batting off 50) and Ben Duckett (28) before R Ashwin had the left-hander caught in his first over.

England ended at 67 for one at stumps with Crawley and night watchman Rehan Ahmed (9 batting) in the centre, still needing for 332 runs for a famous victory.

Though the odd ball is keeping low, there doesn’t seem to be any demon in the pitch and England will be backing themselves to gun down the target and take a 2-0 series lead in the series.

(With PTI Inputs)