"It will be enjoyable until they are there" - Aakash Chopra picks Yashasvi Jaiswal and Rishabh Pant as key players on Day 3 of IND vs NZ 2024 3rd Test
Aakash Chopra has picked Yashasvi Jaiswal and Rishabh Pant as India's most crucial players on Day 3 of the third Test against New Zealand in Mumbai. He noted that the other batters will have an uphill task if the aforementioned duo fail to fire.
India took a 28-run lead in the first-innings as they were bundled out for 263 on Saturday, November 2, in response to New Zealand's 235. The Kiwis ended Day 2 at 171/9, with a lead of 143 runs.
During a discussion on Colors Cineplex, Chopra was asked about the Indian players he will have his eyes on during the chase.
"Yashasvi Jaiswal and Rishabh Pant. They are the two players on whom I am totally reliant. It will be enjoyable until they are there. However, if something goes wrong there, the others will have to work very hard," he responded.
Parthiv Patel also opined that left-handed batters hold the key to India's success.
"I will only say that the left-handed batters will be very important. I said that in the last match as well and it's the same here too. If a left-handed batter plays long, India will chase this target," the former India wicketkeeper-batter said.
While Yashasvi Jaiswal scored a 52-ball 30 in India's first innings, Pant smashed 60 runs off 59 deliveries. Ravindra Jadeja and Washington Sundar are the other left-handed batters in India's lineup.
"An important factor is what India have done thus far" - Aakash Chopra on the approach India should adopt
![India have primarily batted aggressively throughout the series. [P/C: BCCI]](https://statico.sportskeeda.com/editor/2024/11/3c94a-17305637384067-1920.jpg?w=500)
In the same discussion, Aakash Chopra was asked whether India should adopt an aggressive or conservative approach.
"This series started with our examination against pace. We failed in that. This series will end with our examination against spin, which we need to pass. An important factor is what India have done thus far. When you were behind in Bengaluru, you knew 356 runs were very far, so let's go and attack. In the second match, you were so far behind, so you said let's attack," he replied.
The cricketer-turned-commentator questioned whether Rohit Sharma and company can bat aggressively, considering they are unlikely to be chasing a big target.
"Can you play with that same approach when you know that the total is small? However, for how long will you go because there is a lot of help on the pitch? So it's going to be a tough one. It's going to be a good examination of both our youngsters and experienced players," Chopra observed.
Chopra concluded by opining that India should ideally keep scoring runs. He pointed out that New Zealand won't crumble unless pressure is put on their bowlers.