Aakash Chopra said that the fourth Test between India and England is a golden opportunity for Rajat Patidar to make an impact in the absence of KL Rahul in Ranchi.
The fourth Test of the ongoing five-match Test series is scheduled to take place at the JSCA International Stadium in Ranchi on February 23.
Chopra feels Rahul may have a bigger injury than just a niggle, as the wicketkeeper-batter was initially expected to feature in the fourth Test. Rahul had sustained a quadriceps injury after the first Test and has subsequently been ruled out for the remainder of the Test series against England.
With Rahul unavailable for the Ranchi Test, the former Indian opener wants Patidar to make the most of this chance before things get difficult for him.
Aakash Chopra said on his YouTube Channel: “They were saying that KL Rahul would be available for the next match and then the match after that, the third and the fourth Test, but now he could probably be available for the fifth, we don't know as of now.”
The cricket expert added, “So, it started as a niggle, maybe there is a bit more to it. Since KL is not available, it means there will be no change in the Indian XI as far as the batting lineup is concerned. So, it's a golden opportunity for Rajat Patidar to score runs, or else it could be a problem.”
Chopra further suggested Team India play four spinners in the Ranchi Test, as there won’t be much help for the pacers on the JSCA International Stadium deck.
He signed off by saying, “In bowling, whether you play Mukesh Kumar or Akash Deep, play a spinner because there isn't going to be much help for fast bowlers here. So, Akshar Patel, Ravindra Jadeja, Kuldeep Yadav, and Ravichandran Ashwin can be your four spinners plus Mohammed Siraj - play with that. It won't make a difference. The rest of the team can be same to same.”
