Aakash Chopra: Rajat Patidar & Sarfaraz Khan primed to conquer England's spin challenge in upcoming series'

The upcoming series between India and England is highly anticipated, with both nations having strong teams and a long history of intense cricket battles. One of the most crucial factors of success in any series is the ability to tackle the opposition's spin bowling. In this regard, former Indian cricketer Aakash Chopra has identified two players who could prove to be the X-factor for India in the upcoming series – Rajat Patidar and Sarfaraz Khan.

Rajat Patidar – Ready to make his mark at the international level

Rajat Patidar is a 27-year-old middle-order batsman from Madhya Pradesh who has been making waves in the domestic circuit. He has been a consistent performer for Madhya Pradesh in both the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy and the Vijay Hazare Trophy, scoring runs at an impressive average and strike rate.

Patidar's proficiency against spin bowling has been the talk of the town, with him being dubbed as one of the most promising young batsmen against spin in the country. His technique and footwork against the spinners have impressed many, including Aakash Chopra.

In his recently published video on YouTube, Aakash Chopra expressed his admiration for Patidar's batting and his potential to succeed in the upcoming series against England. He believes that Patidar's ability to play the spinners off both the front and back foot will come in handy on the turning tracks in India.

Sarfaraz Khan – A dynamite in the making

Sarfaraz Khan is a name that needs no introduction in the Indian cricketing fraternity. The 23-year-old burst onto the scene with his explosive batting during the 2015-16 season of the Indian Premier League (IPL). However, he has had a stop-start international career so far, playing only a handful of games for India in limited-overs cricket.

But with consistent performances in domestic cricket, Sarfaraz has shown that he is ready to make his mark at the international level. His adaptability against spinners and fearlessness while taking on the big shots make him a valuable asset for the Indian team.

In his discussion on the upcoming series, Aakash Chopra highlighted Sarfaraz's ability to play spin and score quick runs in the middle overs. He believes that India can deploy Sarfaraz in the middle order, where his aggression can change the course of the game and unsettle the opposition spinners.

The importance of tackling spin in the upcoming series

The India-England series will be played on turning tracks, with the hosts expected to heavily rely on their spin trio of Ravichandran Ashwin, Axar Patel, and Kuldeep Yadav. The tourists, on the other hand, will have to devise a plan to tackle the spin attack if they want to have a chance of winning the series.

In the past, England has struggled against quality spin bowling on the Indian subcontinent. Despite boasting a strong lineup, the English batsmen have found it challenging to handle the spinners on turning tracks. This is where players like Patidar and Sarfaraz can prove to be the difference-makers for India.

Chopra believes that if these two players are given opportunities in the series, they have the potential to perform brilliantly and give India the upper hand in the spin department.

With the India-England series just around the corner, the spotlight will be on the spinners from both teams. While India seems to have the upper hand with their spin resources, England will have to find a way to counter them effectively. In this scenario, the inclusion of players like Rajat Patidar and Sarfaraz Khan can provide India with an edge over their opponents.

Aakash Chopra's analysis of these two young batsmen is a testament to their potential in the upcoming series. It remains to be seen if they will be given a chance in the playing XI, but one thing is for sure – if they do get an opportunity, they will be primed to conquer England's spin challenge.