KL Rahul and Aakash Chopra (Source – Twitter/X)
India might have fallen way behind in the ongoing first Test against New Zealand at the M Chinnaswamy Stadium in Bengaluru but Aakash Chopra feels that the hosts can still muster a turnaround for the ages.
Chopra cited the example of the Eden Gardens Test match in 2001 against Australia where the Sourav Ganguly-led side followed on after their dismal performance in the first innings. Rahul Dravid and VVS Laxman put up an awe-inspiring partnership in the second innings to orchestrate a famous triumph for India.
The former cricketer reckons that the conditions will ease out considerably by the time India comes out to bat in the second innings. He backed the home side to put up a score around 400-450.
“When it happened in 2001, no one had thought until then that it could happen. What happened in Kanpur, we hadn’t thought that could happen as well. This match is on. I am not dreaming as of now but it’s a possibility. The 46-run innings has passed. The wicket is going to be good. The opposition bowlers who picked up 10 wickets won’t trouble you now. That’s past,” Chopra said.
“Now the spin that will come will be Glenn Phillips, Rachin Ravindra, and Ajaz Patel. You should back yourselves. Even your No. 8 batter has six centuries. So if you play like that, you might score 400-450. However, to reach there, you have to stop them first because if they reach a situation where they can declare, India will lose this match,” the cricketer-turned-commentator added.
Rachin Ravindra slams whirlwind ton on Day 3 as India’s misery prolongs
New Zealand started Day 3 at 180/3, having taken a lead of 134 runs. India bowled well at the start of the day and picked up four wickets for 53 runs to show signs of a resurgence. However, the talented Rachin Ravindra and former captain Tim Southee joined forces to thwart the Indian bowlers.
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Ravindra showed decisive footwork against the spinners and looked equally at ease against the pacers as he continued his love affair with India. On the stroke of Lunch, the southpaw reached his century by hitting a boundary off Ravichandran Ashwin. Ravindra and Southee remained unbeaten on 104 and 49, respectively, as New Zealand went to the Lunch break at 345/7. The lead for the tourists has swelled to 299 and they would want to stretch it further in the second session.
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