INTERNATIONAL CRICKET

Aakash Chopra suggests plan to counter Starc in India-Australia clash

Aakash Chopra

Aakash Chopra, a former Indian cricketer turned broadcaster, has shared his strategy on how team India can combat Mitchell Starc’s threat in the forthcoming match. The Men in Blue will host Australia in the third and final ODI at the MA Chidambaram Stadium in Chennai on Wednesday, March 22, with the series level at 1-1.

In the previous match, Starc’s devastating five-wicket haul (5/53) helped Australia to a resounding victory over India. India crumbled to a paltry 117 all out after a complete batting collapse. Chopra stated that the Indian batting line-up should “acknowledge” Starc’s exceptional form and avoid early wickets at all costs against the Australian pacer.

If the openers negotiate that threat, things will start looking better: Aakash Chopra

“When Mitchell Starc is in full swing, he is lethal. What should the Indian team do? A little acceptance is sometimes important that the opposite guy is bowling well and that we should not lose four wickets for 30. It can happen once or twice, but you don’t want it to happen repeatedly,”

Aakash said.

Aakash also mentioned that the Indian team’s opening batsmen have dealt well with Starc’s inswinging deliveries so far. He emphasized that if the openers can continue to handle the threat posed by the Australian pacer, India will have a better chance of winning the upcoming match.

“So over to you, Rohit Sharma and Shubman Gill. Shubman has actually not been dismissed by the incoming ball at all. He is getting out to the away-going delivery. Rohit Sharma has played only one match. He also got out to the away-going delivery. Virat Kohli, KL Rahul, Suryakumar Yadav – they were dismissed by incoming deliveries. So they can play with the straight bat slightly. In fact, if the openers negotiate that threat, things will start looking a lot better,”

Chopra concluded.

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