'People are unnecessarily targeting him' – Aakash Chopra opines on KL Rahul ahead of Second Test

Aakash Chopra feels KL Rahul is being wrongly targeted after the first Test against Australia. The former India cricketer believes that the opener should retain his spot in the squad for the second Test. Rahul scored only 20 runs in India’s mammoth innings and a 132-run win in the opening Test in Nagpur. The second Test will be played at the Arun Jaitley Stadium in Delhi from Friday, February 17.

While speaking on his YouTube channel, Chopra said there will not be much change in the Indian batting lineup. The cricketer-turned-commentator opined that Iyer likely to replace Suryakumar Yadav in the second Test. He also mentioned the pressure on Rahul’s place as the opener is being targeted for no reason. However, he also said that, Rahul cannot be dropped just because an in-form Shubman Gill did not get a chance.

"I don't see much scope for change in the Indian batting. Only one - Shreyas Iyer will come and Suryakumar Yadav will go. A little pressure has been created on KL Rahul. I hope he has a good match because the guy plays well and people are unnecessarily targeting him," Chopra said.

"I know Shubman (Gill) is sitting outside but the incumbent player does not become bad because someone is sitting out. It is Cheteshwar Pujara's 100th Test, so I am expecting him to have a good game," he added.

Pujara made his Test debut in India’s home series against Australia in 2010. The right-handed top-order batter made a breakthrough in the longest format after scoring his first International Test century against New Zealand in 2012. He has made 19 centuries in international cricket, all in Test cricket. If he is in the playing XI for the Delhi Test, he will become the 13th Indian to feature in 100 Tests. The 35-year-old cricketer who was dismissed cheaply in the first Test may expecting to make the milestone a memorable occasion.

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