IND vs WI 2025: ‘Don’t take West Indies lightly, focus on long-term goals’ - Ex-star's message to Shubman Gill's India

Published - 01 Oct 2025, 21:01 IST | Updated - 01 Oct 2025, 21:01 IST

Former Indian cricketer Aakash Chopra shared his views on pitch conditions ahead of India’s two-match Test series against the West Indies, emphasizing the need for balance rather than extreme conditions. The first encounter is scheduled to be played from Thursday, October 2 at the humongous Narendra Modi Stadium, Ahmedabad.

Chopra noted that if the pitch turns into a heavy, spin-friendly track, both teams could be evenly matched, referencing the closely contested New Zealand series. He added that India currently struggles against quality spin bowling and stressed that the team should focus on long-term goals, particularly the World Test Championship (WTC).

“I feel that the pitches that play well should be used. If they go towards turning tracks, then two teams come very close to each other, and even inferior spinners can punch above their weight. We saw this in the New Zealand series as well. Another truth is that we don’t play spin as well as we used to in the past,” said Chopra on JioStar's Game Plan.

“If the spin is on a good pitch, then we bowl better than their spinners and bat better as well, and I feel we should build on that strength. You don’t have to give flat pitches; you need results because the WTC is very important. But sometimes your strength turns into your weakness, so I feel we should stay away from that,” he added.

The cricketer-turned-commentator also reflected on India’s recent England tour, describing it as a tough assignment that finished on a positive note. He cautioned against underestimating the West Indies, recalling India’s 3-0 loss to New Zealand at home last year. Chopra insisted that India should approach this new cycle with sincerity and aim for a series whitewash to boost their WTC points.

“This is the new cycle of the WTC, where India just finished their first series with a 2-2 draw. It was a tough assignment, but Shubman Gill’s team performed very well, going above expectations, and now the aim is to build on that. Next up, are two Tests against the West Indies. This is Test cricket; no one should take it lightly,” the Agra-born said.

“The West Indies Test side is very competent, but India will again start as favourites. Still, you can’t afford to slip here. We’ve already slipped once, and the memories of New Zealand are still fresh. With a new cycle underway, every series carries huge importance. Since this is only a two-match series, winning both can give you a 100% result in your zone. The opportunity is massive, and I believe the Indian team is ready,” Chopra concluded.