Former Indian Test opener Aakash Chopra has noted that England bowling is slightly weak whereas India’s batting line-up lacks experience. England’s injury woes won’t help them as the likes of Jofra Archer, Mark Wood, and Gus Atkinson are struggling with fitness and injury issues and they are not part of the squad for the opening Test.
Chris Woakes will lead the pace attack for England and he will have the company of Sam Cook, Jamie Overton, Brydon Carse, and Josh Tongue.
Thus, England lack experience in their pace battery and they would look to come up with a collective show.
On the other hand, India would be without the services of their veteran batters – Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli – who recently announced their retirement.
“A big theme could be England’s fast bowling problems. Their main fast bowlers are not available. If Mark Wood, Gus Atkinson, Jofra Archer and Olly Stone are not going to be there, it means they will be under pressure. Whatever they have might or might not be enough,” Chopra said on his YouTube Channel.
“The story is that their fast bowling looks slightly weak and our batting looks slightly inexperienced. Whoever does better in this contest, I think will make a huge difference, because there are question marks over India’s batting now also,” he added.
Chopra said it would be interesting to note how Ben Stokes would manage his bowling resources.
“The question marks over England’s bowling are as big. So, how Ben Stokes manages it, and how much he bowls himself, it will be interesting to see, but prima facie, this is a really weak bowling attack, and that presents an opportunity to start the tournament well,” he observed.
On the other hand, the renowned commentator revealed his advice to the Indian batters. Chopra urged the visitors’ to play the ball late in English conditions.
“What should India be mindful of? They will have to leave deliveries outside the off stump and will have to let the ball come to them. See the ball quickly and play the ball late,” he said.
“Defend straight and score square. These were Baba Bangar’s fantastic words. He had played an excellent knock at Headingley as well. He had left a lot of deliveries and let them come close to him. So, score runs square with the swing and defend straight. That should be India’s plan against England’s slightly depleted fast bowling,” Chopra observed.
The opening Test match between India and England will be played at Leeds, Headingley, from June 20 onwards.
