'Bat well in the beginning and have backup in our bowling' - Aakash Chopra on how India can bounce back in Cape Town Test

Hosting JioCinema’s daily sports show ‘#AAKASHVANI’, Aakash Chopra gave his take on how India can bounce back ahead of team India’s second test against South Africa and backed Prasidh Krishna for a spot in the playing XI for the second test. Excerpts: 

On Team India’s ability to bounce back

There is only one way to bounce back - to bat well in the beginning and backup in our bowling. Talking about the batting, the South African team played more overs in one innings of the first test, than what we played in both innings combined. This clearly states that we didn't bat well. In bowling, Prasidh Krishna and Shardul Thakur leaked a lot of runs, so we need discipline there as well. The morale of the team is a bit down at the moment, but this team knows to bounce back.

On Prasidh Krishna’s place in the eleven for the 2^nd Test

I feel Prasidh Krishna should continue playing. There are talks that Mukesh Kumar or Avesh Khan might play. Personally, I feel, that if Avesh (Khan) debuts in this match and performs poorly, you will have to drop him as well. Krishna made his debut in the last match as he is the right bowler for these conditions. So, I want him to continue. We should play Shardul Thakur as well or just go with four pace bowlers if we can. If we drop Krishna now, I think that would be the wrong move.

After India's XI was announced for the Cape Town Test, it was seen that Prasidh Krishna place was intact while Shardul Thakur and Ravi Ashwin didn't find place in the XI.

India (Playing XI): Rohit Sharma(c), Yashasvi Jaiswal, Shubman Gill, Virat Kohli, Shreyas Iyer, KL Rahul(w), Ravindra Jadeja, Jasprit Bumrah, Mohammed Siraj, Prasidh Krishna, Mukesh Kumar