Aakash Chopra pins the blame on white-ball cricket after Indian batsmen's horror show in Adelaide

Former India opener Aakash Chopra has explained the possible reasons behind yet another poor batting display from Team India in overseas conditions. Chopra’s comments came after India’s eight-wicket loss to Australia in the first Test at the Adelaide Oval. In a humiliating and shocking collapse, the visitors were all out for just 36, their lowest-ever Test total.

In fact, India’s batsmen struggled throughout the match which lasted just over two days. Barring the brief phase when Virat Kohli and Ajinkya Rahane were at the crease during the first innings, India’s batsmen never looked in control. And the batting just exploded in the second innings as not a single India batsman could manage to put up a decent fight.

Starting the day on 9 for 1, India lost their first wicket when Pat Cummins removed night watchman Jasprit Bumrah when the scoreboard was reading 15. And even before India could add a run, they lost three more to find themselves five down for 15. The innings eventually ended on 36 when Mohammed Shami retired hurt. Set a target of 90, Australia crossed the finishing line with ease by losing two wickets.

Aakash Chopra on Indian batsmen’s struggles

In the wake of yet another batting debacle in overseas Tests, Aakash Chopra highlighted some reasons which might have been the reason behind it. Speaking to ESPNcricinfo, the cricket expert started by pointing out the difference in the nature of pitches in the subcontinent and those in Australia, England and South Africa.

He then proceeded further by saying that playing too much white-ball cricket could be another reason. Chopra highlighted that the lack of feet movement by the Indian batsmen could be because of white-ball cricket. Test specialist Cheteshwar Pujara has occasionally struggled with the same problem despite not playing too much white-ball cricket but Chopra backed his claim by saying that India’s No. 3 in Tests has got a unique technique and ‘loads of patience’.

“There is a certain amount of white-ball play that sneaks into your game where the less movement, the better. If you don’t move that much, then your hands are freer. Someone like Cheteshwar Pujara is an aberration who only plays one format but he has got a different technique. Whether he moves, doesn’t move, the fact is that he’s build a technique which is alright for all weather, all seasons, all pitches and we saw that last time around as well,” Aakash Chopra said.

“He’s got a unique way but that way works well for him. He’s got loads of patience to make it happen. Others are not as fortunate, others are not as skilled mentally to have that kind of patience. So if there is technical deficiency, of course that will get exploited or exposed the moment the ball starts swinging and seaming on Australian, English or South African pitches,” he added.