While Aakash Chopra opined that spinners have fared better than the pacers at Trent Bridge, Nottingham, the venue for the third T20I between India and England on Tuesday, July 7, he urged the team management to drop Ravi Bishnoi from the playing XI.
Bishnoi had a forgettable outing in the second T20I at Old Trafford, Manchester, giving away 60 runs in four overs and bowling three back-foot no-balls.
"Interestingly, the pace-bowling numbers aren't that good at Trent Bridge. The spinners' average is
21.4 and it's nearly 28 for the pacers. So the spinners are doing well. We have a trio, but the trio won't play. Even though Trent Bridge's numbers say spinners do well, I feel Ravi Bishnoi will have to be made to sit out," Chopra said in a video on his YouTube channel.
The former India opener backed in-form pacer Prince Yadav to get the nod ahead of spin-bowling all-rounder Washington Sundar.
"You will play with only Varun Chakaravarthy and Axar Patel. There won't be a place for Washi as well. Get Prince Yadav. The ball swings a little at the start in the Powerplay for sure. So use him there and pick up wickets. The story would become slightly easier if you make the Powerplay in your name. I am recommending just one change," he observed.
"This could be a wonderful matchup" - Aakash Chopra on the spin battle in ENG vs IND 2026 3rd T20I
Chopra believes that a fascinating battle is on the cards between the spinners on both teams - Adil Rashid and Will Jacks for England and Varun Chakaravarthy and Axar Patel for India.
"If there is even slight help for spin, they have Adil Rashid and Will Jacks, and we have Axar Patel and Varun Chakaravarthy. This could be a wonderful matchup. It's a beautiful story, and Varun Chakaravarthy vs England's middle order could also be a good story because Harry Brook is fighting his own battle," he said.
The cricketer-turned-expert opined that while England captain Brook is looking to get the best out of his batters, Shreyas is searching for his first win as India's T20I skipper.
"The battle is about how to stay relevant in the clash and keep winning games even though their batting order is not in great form. Harry Brook is trying to create his own legacy, and Shreyas Iyer hasn't won a single game as a captain thus far. This is not a great thing. You need to put the record straight and start winning," Chopra observed.
