Not going to happen: Aakash Chopra on Suryakumar Yadav’s chances of playing at Oval

Former Indian opener Aakash Chopra reckons there is absolutely no chance that Suryakumar Yadav will get a chance to play in the fourth Test match against England at the Oval.

Chopra’s comments come after India’s middle order continues its struggle.

Furthermore, former Indian captain Dilip Vengsarkar and ex-batsman Vinod Kambli had opined that Suryakumar Yadav should be included in place of Ajinkya Rahane, who has struggled to find form. However, Chopra feels the Indian team will go with an unchanged top six players.

Meanwhile, Suryakumar Yadav has amassed 5326 runs in 77 first-class matches at an average of 44.01. SKY, as he is known famously, has been hitting ground running in the limited overs side and has an average of 62 in ODIs and 46.33 in T20Is in his young International career.

Aakash Chopra said on his YouTube Channel, “Suryakumar Yadav – no, not going to happen. I am a little biased towards him, I like him but you will play him in place of whom? Will you play a sixth batsman?”

“You will not touch anyone who is playing – Rohit, Rahul, Pujara, Kohli, Rahane and Rishabh Pant – all these six are going to play. If this top six remains, there is no place.”

On the other hand, India has also excluded their veteran spinner Ravichandran Ashwin, which has made them play with a long tail. Jadeja has scalped only two wickets in the series whereas Ashwin can also provide crucial runs while batting down the order and he has been in good form.

Chopra added Ashwin can be considered as the Oval pitch is known to provide assistance to the spinners but feels the final decision will be taken after having a look at the pitch.

“About Ashwin, you are going to the Oval. The ball turns there and the pitch is a little flat. He played for Surrey as well and knows the pitch also, that is a definite consideration.”

“But until you see the pitch, I don’t think you can have an answer, whether it is a four fast-bowler pitch or two spinners if they are going for five bowlers. If you are going to play four bowlers and want to play just the one spinner, then the question will be to go towards Jaddu or Ashwin.”

Meanwhile, Ravindra Jadeja was taken to hospital to get his knee scan done and thus Ashwin could play if the former fails to recover before the fourth Test match.