IND vs ENG 2024: Aakash Chopra backs Rajat Patidar to play Dharamsala Test

After grinding hard in domestic cricket, Rajat Patidar finally earned his maiden Test cap in the second of the five-match Test series against England in Visakhapatnam. However, the Indore-born cricketer failed to put up a show in the three matches he has featured in so far, as he aggregated a meagre 63 runs at an average of 10.50. After a lackluster performance, Patidar's position in the starting lineup for the fifth and final Test in Dharamshala is uncertain. Numerous reports suggest that Devdutt Padikkal may take his place, but former cricketer Aakash Chopra supported Patidar to feature in the series' concluding match.

Chopra believes that fielding Padikkal wouldn't be optimal since evaluating him based on a single match would be challenging for the team management. He suggested granting Patidar another opportunity in the team to assess his potential, though acknowledging the possibility of Padikkal's selection by the team management.

Also read: Devdutt Padikkal lilely to make his Test debut against England in Dharamsala

"Reports suggest Rajat Patidar will play and I can probably understand. The team is saying that they have played him three matches, so he can play one more and that this could be his final opportunity,” Chopra said in a video released on his YouTube channel. 

“If they don't play him and play Devdutt, and if he has a bad match, they won't be able to judge him as well, and might also feel they didn't give full chances to Rajat. I won't be surprised if Rajat Patidar plays. However, if he is dropped, still I won't be surprised," the former India opener added.

There are no dead rubbers now: Aakash Chopra

Chopra remarked that there are no inconsequential matches in Test cricket anymore due to the World Test Championship, emphasizing the significance of every game. He expressed his view that both teams would be motivated to enhance their standings in the WTC points table.

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“There are no dead rubbers now because the percentage points matter. Every match is 20% points in a five-match series. If you win four matches, it's 80% points, and if you win three matches, it's 60% points. A series win doesn't guarantee you anything,” Chopra mentioned.