Former Indian opener, Aakash Chopra has opined an ideal playing XI for the Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) in their match against the Delhi Capitals (DC), which is scheduled to be played at the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad on Tuesday. He made a point that Daniel Sams should replace the 37-year-old Dan Christian in the XI.
Christian was bought by the Royal Challengers Bangalore for INR 4.8 crores in the IPL 2021 auction, but his performance in the ongoing season has been disappointing, to say the least. In the three innings which he has played so far, he has scored one run each and with the ball as well, he has failed to take a wicket in his quota of overs.
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While making the preview of RCB’s game against Delhi, Aakash Chopra opined that Christian can be dropped and they can rope in someone like Daniel Sams. Sams is a left-arm pacer who has the capabilities of striking the ball a lot of distance. He missed out in the early part of the tournament as he was recovering from COVID-19.
In a video on his Youtube channel, Chopra said, “The RCB batting is not weak but a little short. They are playing Washington at No.3 only to lengthen the batting. Otherwise, Devdutt, Virat, Maxwell, and AB – there is no one at No.5. Washington or Dan Christian will have to play at No.5 and I don’t think RCB should play Dan Christian at all. They should think about playing Daniel Sams instead of Christian.”
The cricketer turned commentator, further said that the RCB team should make a way for Madhya Pradesh batsman Rajat Patidar, who had featured in a couple of games for the team. Chopra also excluded Navdeep Saini, pointing that RCB has to add an Indian batsman in his position to attain proper balance in their XI against Delhi Capitals.
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Aakash Chopra suggested, “They should create a place for Rajat Patidar in this team. So Rajat Patidar after Padikkal and Kohli, then Maxwell and AB, at No.6 you have Washington Sundar, at No.7 you have Kyle Jamieson, Daniel Sams at No.8.”
