Search:



The Web

Rediff








Home > Cricket > Kiwis in India 2003 > Report

Chopra disappointed with debut

Faisal Shariff in Mohali | October 22, 2003 12:30 IST

Aakash ChopraRahul Dravid has called him the solution the team has been looking for. Coach John Wright has a hunch that he will do well in Australia at the top of the order.

Akash Chopra, with two half-centuries in the recently concluded India-New Zealand Test series, is sitting pretty.

"It is good to get a couple of half-centuries under your belt in your maiden Test series," Chopra told rediff.com, but hastened to add that the Tests were completely different from the two side games he played against the Kiwis earlier.

"The pressure of a Test match is different," said Chopra. "Also, the Kiwis were well prepared for me in the Tests. They knew where to bowl to me, and set precise field placements to curb my scoring. It seems they have watched my side games innings really closely."

Also Read


I am not trying to prove anything: Laxman

I breathe through my son: Yograj Singh

We proved our adaptability: Stephen Fleming
He attributed his initial success in Test cricket to his mental preparation.

"I have played six seasons of domestic cricket now and have learnt things along the way. So even though I hadn't played a single game for the past five months due to injury, I felt fine playing the Kiwis. Cricket is a mental game."

Chopra, however, castigated himself when recounting his debut Test innings. "I could have made much more [than the 42 runs he scored]. I was batting well. I had settled down and was seeing the ball well. I had got six runs off that [Daniel] Vettori over already, but I guess I got over-ambitious. If there is anything I can undo in my life it will be that first innings dismissal."

He made no secret of his intention to break into the one-day team. "To be a complete player it is important to play both forms of the game," he said. "In due course of time I know I will break into the squad."

Rubbishing reports about his inability to play the short-pitched stuff, Chopra shot back: "Have I got out to a single short-pitched delivery? Have I looked uncomfortable against the short balls? There is no argument."

Indeed, he seems a good bet for the tour of Australia.


Article Tools

Email this Article

Printer-Friendly Format

Letter to the Editor




Related Stories


Sehwag sets Mohali alight

India too cautious: Vettori

When did Fleming make his debut?



People Who Read This Also Read


Tri-series tougher than W'Cup

Aus turn up the heat on Sachin

Lloyd bemoans death of a myth








Kiwis in India 2003: The Complete Coverage




Share your comments


 What do you think about the story?




Read what others have to say:


Number of User Comments: 5




Sub: More bowling practice for Indian Bowlers.

From the recently concluded two tests series it has become clear that Indian bowlers seems not to know where to land the ball to trouble ...


Posted by Sanjeev Deb Barma





Sub: Chopra

Chopra is nice to be in Opening Bats Man. He proved in his arrival. He & VVS only played well. He only played well.


Posted by B.BABU REDDY





Sub: Chopra's torment down under!

Chopra could well be a case of Debang Gandhi and SS. Das revisited. Gandhi did well against the last Kiwi pace attack in home pitches ...


Posted by Muralidhar Rao





Sub: Chopra can never be in Indian One day team

Hi, After making the comment that the kiwis were ready for him and prevented him for scoring freely, he still wants to be in India ...


Posted by Indian Cricket Fan





Sub: Chopra disappointed with debut.

Horses for the courses. SSDas who shined well in Test matches, was drafted to I day and he went out of reconning from both versions. ...


Posted by UMASUTARAO CHODAVARAPU




Disclaimer







Copyright © 2003 rediff.com India Limited. All Rights Reserved.