‘Little acceptance is sometimes important’ – Aakash Chopra on how India can counter Mitchell Starc's threat

Cricketer turned broadcaster Aakash Chopra has shared his thoughts on how team India can counter Mitchell Starc’s threat in the upcoming clash. The Men in Blue will host Australia in the third and final ODI match scheduled to be played at the MA Chidambaram Stadium in Chennai on Wednesday, March 22.

Notably, the Aussies are now at level terms, 1-1, in the three-match series following a resounding win courtesy of speedster Starc’s dominant five-wicket haul (5/53). Team India slumped to a meagre 117 after a complete batting collapse triggered by Starc in the second ODI. 

Former India cricketer Aakash Chopra expressed that the Indian batting unit will need to ‘accept’ Starc’s fiery form and added that the side cannot lose wickets early on against the Aussie pacer. 

"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 told on his YouTube channel.

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

Furthermore, Aakash highlighted that the openers have not succumbed to Starc's lethal inswinging deliveries. In addition to this, he stated that if the openers counter this threat by the pacer, team India could be better placed in the contest.

"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,” added Aakash.

"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,” he concluded.

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