Aakash Chopra backs KL Rahul and Rohit Sharma to continue as India's Test openers post England series

Team India has so far enjoyed a stellar run in the ongoing tour of England. While the first Test ended in a draw, Virat Kohli’s men scripted a memorable 151-run win in the second Test at Lord’s. One of the major reasons behind their success is openers getting runs consistently. Rohit Sharma and KL Rahul tackled the swinging red cherry with precision and got runs in both games.

While Rahul scored 244 runs in four innings, Rohit slammed 152 runs. Not to forget, this wasn’t India’s first-choice opening pair for this series. Rohit and Shubman Gill have been opening for India in the longest format since the 2020-21 Australia tour. However, the latter got ruled out of the England series due to a leg injury. While Mayank Agarwal was expected to partner Rohit at the top, a concussion injury ruled him out of the Nottingham Test.

Subsequently, Rahul featured in the first Test and slammed 86 and 24 in two innings. In the following Lord’s Test, the opener even reached the three-figure mark. Rohit has also been impressive in this duration. Hence, the duo is all but likely to start the proceedings for India throughout the five-match series. However, the trending question is whether the combination be tinkered post the England series with Gill regaining fitness.

You can’t look elsewhere now unless something drastic happens: Aakash Chopra

Former Indian cricketer Aakash Chopra doesn’t think so. “Rohit and Rahul (speaking of India’s primary Test openers following the England series). You can’t look elsewhere now unless something drastic happens. If there’s any injury or radical loss or form, Rohit and Rahul will continue to open,” Chopra said on his YouTube channel.

“The duo has showcased patience, determination, dedication, and application in their batting. Hence, they are here to stay for a long time. Sorry Mayank and Shubman Gill but you’ll have to wait for your chances,” he added.

Meanwhile, the third Test of this series gets underway on August 25 at the Headingly in Leeds. Needless to mention, Virat Kohli’s men would be raring to extend their sensational run. On the other hand, the Three Lions have a job in hand to make a comeback in this series.