South Africa vs. India: should we cancel the tour? Aakash Chopra on IND injury concerns ahead of test series
Former cricketer-turned-commentator Aakash Chopra asked several questions about India's preparations and team composition ahead of their tour of South Africa amid the spate of injuries on the test team.
India lost test vice-captain Rohit Sharma on Monday to a thigh injury, while Shubman Gill (shin), Ravindra Jadeja (torn ligament) and Axar Patel (stress fracture) will also be absent from the test series due to their respective injuries.
Given the Indian team's current situation, Aakash Chopra wondered if the BCCI should cancel the South Africa series as most of the key players are injured.
"Ravindra Jadeja not available, Axar Patel not available, Rahul Chahar not available, you don't have Shubman Gill and now they're saying Rohit Sharma isn't there either. I mean what's going on? Shall we cancel the South Africa tour?" said the 44-year-old.
Chopra added that Rohit Sharma will be the biggest failure for India as he was their best test racket this year.
"Rohit Sharma will be a big mistake. If his tour is in doubt, India's chances are in doubt as who was your best test battery in 2021. Why did you do well in England - Rohit was there with Rahul. Rohit has started to love test cricket , and he enjoys going or defending, "said Chopra.
The former Test Opener also expressed concern about India's opening combination, pointing to the multiple issues in the squad due to the injuries.
"There are several problems. Shubman Gill and Mayank Agarwal had just opened, KL Rahul was injured. I met KL Rahul recently and he said he will be fine. You will see Mayank Agarwal open with him, but who will it be? the third opener now?
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“We said it became a story of four or five openers and here Mayank Agarwal became the second opener and KL Rahul became the first. And we've got to the stage where Mayank Agarwal debuted in a matter of weeks. The Indian team will be clearly weak, "said Chopra.
India will play 3 Tests in South Africa starting December 26th, followed by 3 ODIs starting January 19th. Rohit will miss the tests but will likely be fit in time for the one-day streak, which Kohli may skip for personal reasons.