NEWS
Follow UsFormer India batsman Aakash Chopra has picked Rishabh Pant as the X-Factor for India's upcoming tour of England. Pant has played quite a few crucial knocks of late, which includes an unbeaten 89 against Australia at the Gabba and 101 against England in Chennai, both of which were match-winning efforts.
“Rishabh Pant could be the X-factor. You can play with five bowlers by including Jadeja, so I do agree that this is perhaps the best opportunity for India to win in England,” Chopra said on his YouTube channel.
Rahul Dravid had earlier said that India will win the five-match Test series against England by a 3-2 margin. Chopra agrees with the India great. “I definitely agree, who will not agree with Rahul bhai. There is weight in what he has said, whenever India goes out these days, it is their best chance. To be fair, the chances had become less in Australia because of so many injuries but we won there as well. If you can win there with half a team, hardly eleven players who could be fielded, then to defeat England in England, I think this is a great opportunity,” Chopra a veteran of 10 Tests for India said.
However, Chopra reckons a lot will depend on India's chances will depend a lot on their four pillars in their batting unit. “There is strength in the batting, the fast bowling is good and the spinners are doing well. I think if we can bat well, we will be fine. Rohit Sharma, Virat Kohli, Ajinkya Rahane, Cheteshwar Pujara - the Indian batting will be dependent on these four pillars,” said Chopra.
India and England will clash in a five-match Test series beginning on August 4 at Trent Bridge.