'It's not a great thing' - Former India batter Aakash Chopra points out India's biggest concern ahead of Test Championship finals against Australia

Ahead of the Test Championship finals against Australia, former India batter and star commentator Aakash Chopra pointed out the biggest concern of the Indian team. In a recent interview with the apex council of cricket, Chopra said that it will be very difficult for Indian batters to adapt to English conditions and Test match situations after playing T20 cricket for almost two months.

"Test cricket has not been played in these conditions for a long time," Chopra said. "It's been a long time since we played Test cricket. For the last two months, you have played T20 cricket continuously. When you play T20 cricket, you play with a different template, you play in different teams. It's been two-and-a-half months since you played together. Same story for Australia."

"It's not a great thing. In such a situation, if you playing at home, let's say the first Test match in home conditions, you don't even need to think, you will play that match very easily and win it. Everyone will understand their respective roles", he added. Notably, apart from Cheteshwar Pujara all other Indian players were participating in the recently concluded Indian Premier League 2023.

Chopra raises concerns over Kohli and Rahane's past performance

Further speaking about the Indian batting line-up and their past performance in English conditions Aakash Chopra pointed out that the main batters of the Indian team haven't performed well in English conditions. He said, "When you go to overseas conditions, many times it happens that in the first match, it takes a little time to get your bearings right. And Test cricket, facing Australia in English conditions if it is overcast, a little greenish pitch then it is possible that till the time if you find your bearings, the competition will slip out of your hand."

"So there is a danger of one thing that in the last two-and-a-half months playing T20, that too for different teams. Secondly, I also feel that our main players, be it, Virat Kohli, Ajinkya Rahane or Cheteshwar Pujara, batting in these English conditions, haven't conquered it in recent times", he further added. Notably, India is set to face Australia in the finals of the Test Championship at the iconic Oval Cricket Ground in London from June 7.