"A good series for KL Rahul can be even 250 runs" - Aakash Chopra on his expectations from India in IND vs NZ 2024 Test series
Aakash Chopra reckons India's top five batters need to score at least 300 runs in the three Tests against New Zealand for it to be termed a good series for them. He added that even 250 runs would suffice for KL Rahul as he bats down the order.
The first game of the three-match series will be played in Bengaluru from Wednesday, October 16. The hosts will likely stick with the same top six that played both Tests in the recent series against Bangladesh.
In a video on his YouTube channel 'Aakash Chopra', the cricketer-turned-commentator shared his expectations from India's top six.
"It's a three-match series. Let's start putting some parameters as to what performance will you term excellent. You get four to five, and sometimes six innings as a batter. If the two openers are in the 350-400 run bracket, you are outstanding. You assume at least 200-250 runs for an average series," he said (6:20).
"It's the same parameter for Shubman Gill at No. 3 and Virat Kohli at No. 4, that if it's an excellent series, 350-plus, or else I would say 300 to 350 will also be considered a good series. You might have slightly lesser expectations from KL Rahul. A good series for KL Rahul can be even 250 runs because he bats very low," Chopra added.
Chopra pointed out that Rahul will have to be judged differently as he might not get enough opportunities to play substantial knocks.
"When you bat so low, it's time for declaration at times and you bat with the tail on a few occasions. He might not get to bat in the second innings at times. All those things do happen. So probably slightly fewer runs for him, but till Rishabh Pant, the top five, the criteria are almost similar for everyone," he explained.
Yashasvi Jaiswal (189), Shubman Gill (164) and Rishabh Pant (161) were India's top three run-getters in the two-Test series against Bangladesh. While Virat Kohli (99) and Rohit Sharma (42) weren't at their best, Rahul aggregated 106 runs at an average of 53.00 in three innings.
"15 wickets and 150 runs" - Aakash Chopra on his expectations from Ravichandran Ashwin and Ravindra Jadeja
![Ravichandran Ashwin and Ravindra Jadeja impressed with their all-round performances against Bangladesh. [P/C: BCCI]](https://statico.sportskeeda.com/editor/2024/10/b7588-17289733519673-1920.jpg?w=500)
In the same video, Aakash Chopra opined that 15 wickets and 150 runs apiece would be a good series for Ravichandran Ashwin and Ravindra Jadeja.
"Then come our two all-rounders. What is expected from them? 15 wickets and 150 runs. They actually score more, they make 200-250, but with 15 wickets and 150 runs, you will say that they have had a good series. You will expect 12 to 14 wickets from Kuldeep as well because he is the third spinner," he said (7:45).
The former India opener set slightly lower expectations from Jasprit Bumrah and Mohammed Siraj with the ball.
"Among fast bowlers, if Bumrah plays all three matches, 13 to 14 wickets is fairly good. You are happy if you get 10 to 11 wickets from Siraj in a three-match series because you don't get that much bowling," Chopra reasoned.
With 11 wickets apiece, Ashwin and Bumrah were India's joint-highest wicket-takers against Bangladesh. While Jadeja picked up nine wickets, Akash Deep and Siraj accounted for five and four dismissals respectively.