He also said Rishabh Pant could be the X-factor for India in England.
Former Indian cricketer-turned-commentator Aakash Chopra agreed with former India captain and NCA head Rahul Dravid’s opinion on India’s chances of defeating England in the upcoming five-match Test series in August-September 2021.
The Indian cricket team is all set to travel to the United Kingdom in June to fight for the ICC World Test Championship (WTC) crow against New Zealand from June 18 in Southampton and then play a five-match Test series against England starting on August 4 in Nottingham.
Well, ahead of the Test series, Chopra and Dravid both believed that India has the great opportunity to crush England in their home conditions in the upcoming Test series, as they have a full-strength squad for the series unlike during the Australia tour when they beat them with a second-string team.
Recently, Dravid had predicted a 3-2 scoreline in the favor of Team India, as he felt Virat Kohli and his team has probably their best chance of winning the Test series in England this year. Notably, Dravid had led India to a 1-0 victory in a Tests series in England back in 2007.
Chopra said in his latest YouTube video, “I definitely agree, who will not agree with Rahul Bhai. There is weight in what he has said, whenever India goes out these days, it is their best chance. To be fair, the chances had become less in Australia because of so many injuries but we won there as well.
If you can win there with half a team, hardly eleven players who could be fielded, then to defeat England in England, I think this is a great opportunity.”
Meanwhile, there is no second thought that Indian batsmen will be tested on the tough English conditions in the upcoming Test series and the Indian cricket analyst believes that the tourists can dominate England in their own backyard if they put up a strong batting show.
He further noted that Indian batting stars like Rohit Sharma, Virat Kohli, Ajinkya Rahane, Cheteshwar Pujara will be the pillars of the tourists’ batting and they must score in the Test series in England.
Chopra also said Rishabh Pant could be the X-factor for Team India while suggesting the tourists play with five bowlers by including Ravindra Jadeja to have the greatest chances to win the Test series.
Chopra further explained, “There is strength in the batting, the fast bowling is good and the spinners are doing well. I think if we can bat well, we will be fine. Rohit Sharma, Virat Kohli, Ajinkya Rahane, Cheteshwar Pujara - the Indian batting will be dependent on these four pillars.”
He signed off by saying, “Rishabh Pant could be the X-factor. You can play with five bowlers by including Ravindra Jadeja, so I do agree that this is perhaps the best opportunity for India to win in England.”