Former Indian Test opener Aakash Chopra criticized the West Indies’ performance after their mundane performance on the opening day of the first Test match against India at the Narendra Modi Stadium, Ahmedabad on Thursday. After electing to bat first, the Windies were bowled out for 162 as their batters failed to show any resistance.
None of the visiting batters could go past the 35-run mark and the tourists kept losing wickets at regular intervals. Chopra questioned whether the West Indies deserve to play Test cricket at the top level, as they have failed to even put up a fight.
The renowned commentator questioned the West Indies’ batters’ ordinary averages at the top level.
“If you see the top six batters of this West Indies team, everyone’s average is in the 20s. Chanderpaul has an average of barely over 30, just 31.11. So, just one batter has an average of over 30, and even that is not like 35 or something, and the rest are like 25-odd. If you are a member of the team with this average, that too after playing a significant amount of Test cricket, then it is clear that there is no prowess. They are playing Test cricket, but are they good enough for Tests?” Aakash Chopra said on his YouTube channel.
“In my opinion, it is sub-standard batting. If their numbers don’t improve, then one question that will be asked for sure is – Are the West Indies really adding to Test cricket? I might be a bit harsh, but if you are asking someone to take their time out and watch the game for five days, it has to be justified, right? The West Indies team’s decline is palpable,” the former India player added.
India has dominated the West Indies as they haven’t lost a Test match against them since 2002. Chopra said there is a huge gulf between the standards of Indian cricket and West Indies cricket.
“Now, should there be a tier system in Test cricket? This series acts as fuel to the fire in this conversation. The point of WTC was to bring excitement in the longest format, with teams battling it out for points, it feels nice to hear it. There is importance because teams want points, but where will you bring the contest from? You have not lost a single Test to them in the last 20-22 years, so what contest?” Chopra said.
After lunch on the second day, India were 232-4, leading by 70 runs.
