"Akash Deep has done well whenever he has played" - Aakash Chopra on choosing between Mohammed Siraj and Deep for IND vs NZ 2024 2nd Test
Aakash Chopra reckons Team India might be in a tricky situation if they have to choose between Mohammed Siraj and Akash Deep for the second Test against New Zealand. He pointed out that while Deep has done well whenever given an opportunity, Siraj's recent numbers have been far from impressive.
The second game of the three-match series is scheduled to be played in Pune from Thursday, October 24, onwards. While Deep wasn't part of the hosts' eight-wicket loss in the first game in Bengaluru, Siraj managed only two wickets across the two innings.
In a video shared on his YouTube channel 'Aakash Chopra,' the former India opener noted that Siraj's Test numbers might have to be considered while taking a call between him and Deep.
"This is also a good topic - Mohammed Siraj or Akash Deep. Akash Deep has done well whenever he has played. He has played very few matches, one in Ranchi and then in Chennai and Kanpur. When we have spoken about (KL) Rahul's numbers, it's important that we talk about Siraj's numbers as well," he said (6:30).
Chopra pointed out that the Hyderabad seamer has a middling overall Test record and has even worse numbers in his last 10 games.
"If we see his entire career, he has an average of 30 as a bowler. No great but 80 wickets in 30 matches, not too bad actually. It's good if it's more than three wickets per game but it's okay as he plays in India as well. In the last 10 matches, he has taken 26 wickets in 19 innings. It's a bit of a problem now," he observed.
Siraj has picked up only 12 wickets at an average of 42.83 in seven home Tests this year. His spell of 4/84 in the Rajkot Test against England is the only time he has taken more than two wickets in an innings.
"This is a seriously big question as to whether you should continue with Mohammed Siraj or play Akash Deep" - Aakash Chopra
![Mohammed Siraj played four of the five Tests against England. [P/C: Getty]](https://statico.sportskeeda.com/editor/2024/10/cf465-17296606711843-1920.jpg?w=500)
In the same video, Aakash Chopra noted that the question over Mohammed Siraj's place becomes bigger as he has played virtually every home Test this year.
"It goes in KL Rahul's favor that he didn't play the England series but Siraj played quite a few matches in that also. So now this is a seriously big question as to whether you should continue with Mohammed Siraj or play Akash Deep," he said (7:30).
While highlighting that Akash Deep has a strong case for his inclusion in the XI, the reputed commentator added that India could alternatively play four spinners.
"Akash Deep is making a huge case and these are back-to-back Test matches with no gap. So maybe you can make Siraj sit out as well and play Akash Deep. There is an outside chance that if there isn't much help for fast bowlers, India might field four spinners in which Washington Sundar could be that other guy," Chopra elaborated.
Chopra opined that Washington Sundar might have been added to India's squad because of the plethora of left-handers in New Zealand's lineup unless Ravichandran Ashwin is carrying an injury he isn't aware of. However, he added that there is a possibility that Siraj could be made to sit out even if India plays two seamers.