"If you give a rank turner, Ajaz Patel, Rachin Ravindra and Glenn Phillips will make your life difficult" - Aakash Chopra on IND vs NZ 2024 2nd Test
Aakash Chopra has noted that the pitch for the second Test between India and New Zealand will likely be a slow turner. He urged the hosts not to prepare a rank turner, pointing out that Ajaz Patel, Rachin Ravindra, and Glenn Phillips could become serious threats on such a pitch.
The second Test of the three-match series will begin in Pune on Thursday, October 24. Rohit Sharma and company will want to draw parity after having lost the first game in Bengaluru by eight wickets.
In a video shared on his YouTube channel 'Aakash Chopra,' the former India opener was asked about his thoughts on the likely surface in Pune.
"I have heard it will be a slow turner, which will not have much bounce. When the match might have been unfolding there (in Bengaluru), the curator here might have been told to put less water, use the grass mower, remove the grass, and prepare a pitch that helps the spinners," he responded.
"My small suggestion and request is that you shouldn't prepare a rank turner because it becomes a lottery if you prepare a rank turner. If you play five days on a decent surface, your spin is better. However, if you give a rank turner, Ajaz Patel, Rachin Ravindra and Glenn Phillips will make your life difficult. They will play Mitchell Santner instead of three fast bowlers," Chopra added.
The New Zealand spinners picked up only three wickets in the first Test. While Ajaz Patel dismissed Yashasvi Jaiswal and Rohit Sharma in the second innings, Glenn Phillips got the better of Virat Kohli on the last ball of Day 3.
"Rachin Ravindra becomes a serious threat once again" - Aakash Chopra on threats for India in 2nd Test
![Rachin Ravindra scored a century in New Zealand's first innings of the Bengaluru Test. [P/C: BCCI]](https://statico.sportskeeda.com/editor/2024/10/ddf40-17296539406726-1920.jpg?w=500)
In the same video, Aakash Chopra was asked about the likely threats for India in the second Test.
"Rachin Ravindra becomes a serious threat once again because he is batting extremely well. Devon Conway is playing very well. So that makes it two such players. Will Young has been a little surprising. I didn't expect Will Young to bat that well. Kane Williamson is still unavailable," he replied (8:45).
The cricketer-turned-commentator named William O'Rourke and Matt Henry as challenges in the seam-bowling department.
"In bowling, we will have to see what sort of combination they play, or else the same fast bowlers. O'Rourke has troubled us. He will again get bounce and will trouble us. Matt Henry is very consistent. Tim Southee is more of an all-rounder now because he doesn't bowl that much," Chopra elaborated.
Chopra reckons Tim Southee might have to make way for Mitchell Santner if the Kiwis want to play an additional spinner.
"The team might not play him here if they want to play with two fast bowlers. If Santner plays, I feel Tim Southee has to sit out because he is not bowling that much. I consider O'Rourke a big threat because his bounce is disconcerting," he observed.
Southee picked up only two wickets in the Bengaluru Test. However, he scored a match-defining 73-ball 65 in New Zealand's first innings.