"What a lovely story" - Aakash Chopra on KL Rahul's 'romance' heading into BGT 2024-25 4th Test

Former India player Aakash Chopra has noted that KL Rahul's recent performances in Boxing Day Tests have been a 'lovely story.' He expressed hope about the Indian opener continuing that romance in the Border-Gavaskar Trophy (BGT) 2024-25 fourth Test.

The fourth game between India and Australia will start on Boxing Day (Thursday, December 26) in Melbourne. Rahul amassed 235 runs at an average of 47.00 in six innings in the first three Tests.

In a video shared on his YouTube channel 'Aakash Chopra,' the former India opener reflected on some of the crucial batters for the visitors in the fourth Test. As for Rahul, he said (10:45):

"KL Rahul and the Boxing Day Test matches - what a lovely story. If you check the last few, South Africa is also involved in that, he has done well. He has shown that for you to succeed it's critical to have the understanding of where your off-stump is. Leaving balls is extremely critical. Spending time at the crease is very important."

Chopra pointed out that Rahul has played conventional Test cricket in the ongoing series and wished his love affair with Boxing Day Tests continues.

"It's just the art of batting time, slightly old-fashioned cricket. The way he is playing, he is giving a lot of confidence. Once again, fingers crossed, that he plays like this only because he is taking the game deep at least from one end. I really hope that KL Rahul and the Boxing Day romance may continue for a little longer," he observed.

Rahul made his international debut in the 2014 Boxing Day Test against Australia. He has struck first-innings centuries in his last two Boxing Day Tests, both against South Africa in Centurion, with a 123-run knock in 2021 followed by a 101-run effort two years later.

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"The opposing team has come after making a good game plan against him" - Aakash Chopra on Rishabh Pant

Rishabh Pant has aggregated 96 runs at an average of 19.20 in five innings in BGT 2024-25. [P/C: Getty]

In the same video, Aakash Chopra noted that Australia have devised an excellent game plan against Rishabh Pant.

"Three matches have passed for Pant. We are fortunate that we are standing at 1-1. It could have been 2-1 as well, but Rishabh Pant hasn't scored runs, and the opposing team has come after making a good game plan against him. We are saying we are not doing that against (Travis) Head but they are doing that against Pant," he said.

The cricketer-turned-analyst added that Pant needs to improvise to counter the hosts' plans.

"They come over the wicket and angle the ball across. They keep a deep point and third man, that he would be caught if he hits. When they bowl with this game plan, they are trapping him, and that is when Rishabh Pant will have to now improvise again. Reinvent the wheel a little," Chopra elaborated.

Chopra pointed out that the ball is unlikely to be very new when Pant comes to bat. He added that the dashing wicketkeeper-batter could change the game if he stays in the middle for a session or two.