Chopra advises Salt, Brook to emulate Buttler's batting approach
What's the story
Former Indian cricketer Aakash Chopra has given some strategic advice to England's Phil Salt and Harry Brook.
He said they should take a leaf out of their captain Jos Buttler's successful batting approach in the ongoing T20I series against India.
Chopra emphasized Buttler's ability to read spinners and control the game as the key to his success.
Here's what the veteran had to say.
Experience matters
Chopra emphasizes on Buttler's experience and strategy
Chopra further stressed that Buttler's wealth of experience in the Indian conditions has paid off.
He said that the England skipper has steered clear of an overly aggressive approach and instead concentrated on a clear plan to score runs.
"The overaggressive game doesn't work. The plans should be slightly clear and you find a way to score runs," Chopra said during his YouTube video analysis of the match.
Consistent performer
Buttler's performance in the ongoing T20I series
Buttler has been a consistent performer in the ongoing series, having scored 137 runs at an average of 45.67 in three innings.
His highest score till now is 68 runs.
Notably, Ben Duckett is the only other England player to have scored a half-century in this series.
Chopra praised Buttler's methodical approach as a key factor behind his success on Indian pitches.
Batting critique
Chopra criticizes Brook's reckless batting
Chopra also criticized Harry Brook for his reckless approach at the crease.
He noted that Brook often struggles to read the ball and plays on the front foot without proper judgment.
"It seems at times that Harry Brook is unable to figure out and is batting recklessly," Chopra said during his video analysis of the match.
Numbers
A look at Salt and Brook's numbers in this series
The English opener was dismissed for a duck in the first match and was then sent back by Arshdeep Singh after scoring four runs (second match).
In the third T20I, he was dismissed by Hardik Pandya scoring just five runs.
Notably, he has been sent back to the pavilion early on (within two overs) in all three matches.
Brook on the other hand has managed 38 runs (17, 13, and 8) and has been dismissed by spinners.
Stats
Salt and Brook's T20I numbers in brief
Salt has featured in 41 T20Is and has amassed 1,115 runs at an average of 33.78, (SR: 163.48).
He owns three tons and four fifties to his name, (highest score of 119).
Meanwhile, Brook has recorded 745 runs across 42 T20Is while averaging 28.65, (SR: 144.37). He owns three fifties, (high score of 81*).
Notably, in 2024 Salt smashed 467 runs including one hundred and two fifties, (AVG: 38.91, SR: 164.43) in 17 matches.