"If their next knocks do not go good....": Aakash Chopra on Shubman Gill and Shreyas Iyer

Shubman Gill, Shreyas Iyer (Pic: File Pic)

Former India's opening batsman Aakash Chopra has a critical take on Indian batsmen Shubman Gill and Shreyas Iyyer's recent form. He also stated that the time is running out for them and both have one more inning left before things turn worse for the young Indian duo.

In the second test against England in Visakhapatnam, Gill and Iyer failed to play an impactful innings yet again. Gill departed for 34 and Iyer for 27 runs. Under fire duo has one more innings to prove their worth.

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Speaking on his YouTube channel, Aakash said on Friday, "Time is running out very fast for Gill and Iyer. They have one more knock and I really hope that they score runs because if their next knocks do not go good, the problems will become grave for both of them."

Chopra also mentioned that Gill got a good start which he wasted and Iyer's footwork was not at its best against the pacers.

"Shubman Gill got a start. He played slightly aggressively at the start for sure but after that, he got three edges in James Anderson's two overs. The third edge carried to the keeper as well and he got out. He wasted a good start. 34 runs is not going to be enough," said Chopra.

"Shreyas Iyer also gave a disappointing performance. The way he was moving around was not giving much confidence. You generally do not move around like that against a fast bowler in Test cricket."

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"He was moving a lot even though there wasn't much pace in the short balls and eventually he got out. You can say the ball stayed a little low and that he was slightly unlucky, but he was not stable on the crease," he concluded.

After the ICC World Test Championship, Gill has not been able to make the most out of the chances he got. He only managed to score 207 runs in 12 innings at an average of 18.81. His best score was 36.

Gill, who himself wanted to bat at number three has scored 223 runs at that respected position in seven test matches at an average of 22.30. His best score playing at number three position is 47.

Iyer has also fallen flat after a fine start to his Test career. In his last seven Tests and 11 innings, he has scored just 158 runs at an average of 15.80, with the best score of 35.

Coming to the match, India ended the day one at 336/6, with Yashasvi Jaiswal unbeaten at 179 in 257 balls, with 17 fours and five sixes along with Ravichandran Ashwin (5'). Knocks from Gill, Iyer, debutant Rajat Patidar (32) and Axar Patel (27) provided decent support to the left-hander.

Debutant Shoaib Bashir (2/100) and Rehan Ahmed (2/61) dominated the opening day with their spin bowling, not allowing Indian batters to make the best of their fine starts.

(With ANI Inputs)