Former Indian cricketer Aakash Chopra thinks that on Day 4 of the first Test match against Sri Lanka, India should bat for 40 overs with a goal of about 350. Chopra noted that there are dangers associated with the strategy, including the possibility that India will lose.
Even though it would give Sri Lanka a chance, he clarified that the visitors’ best option would be to bat at a respectable run rate and declare their innings at the 40-over mark.
Aakash Chopra Warns Indian Team
“Add 178 more to 178 and reach 350. Even if you play at an average of five, it will take you 40 overs to score 200, and there are huge chances of rain. So you will have to move really quickly. You will have to play slightly aggressively. Yashasvi, play like Yashasvi. KL Rahul, you have many gears. Activate the T20 and ODI gear this time,” Chopra said on YouTube.
“There is a lot of depth in the batting. Just keep moving faster. I am giving India about 40-odd overs. Score around 150 to 175 runs and declare. Bite the bullet. I know if 50 overs happen and 90 overs of the last day also happen, we can actually end up on the losing side in 140 overs,” he added.
Chopra Explains How SL Might Win
According to Chopra, Sri Lanka might have a chance to win if the game went all the way through. However, if rain plays a role, India may not have enough time to bowl them out and win if they decide to bat for a lengthier amount of time.
“If the full match happens and we are unable to bowl them out, they will have the time to score 350 runs. However, we will be left rubbing our hands if we bat for too long and a session gets spoilt due to rain. It is going to be a tough one, but that’s the bullet that India must bite,” he said.