Former India player Aakash Chopra has said that the IPL 2026 Qualifier 2 clash between the Gujarat Titans (GT) and the Rajasthan Royals (RR) could see a great battle between Kagiso Rabada and Jofra Archer. He added that the GT head coach Ashish Nehra and the RR bowling coach Shane Bond have potentially asked the two pacers to bowl only fast deliveries and refrain from bowling slower ones.
In a video shared on his YouTube channel, ‘Aakash Chopra,’ he said, “GT have taken 31 Powerplay wickets. RR aren’t too far behind either. They have also taken 29 wickets. Kagiso Rabada is bowling like fire. The bro is proper fire, but Jofra is no less. He is also bowling at 150 kph. I think both bowling coaches have said something in their ears, that they should bowl length balls and fast, and stay far away from slower ones.”
“Both used to be guilty of that. Jofra used to bowl a leg-cutter variation, and Kagiso Rabada used to use an off-cutter variation a lot. The role clarity has come this time. Shane Bond might have spoken to Jofra, and it might be Ashish Nehra’s input for Kagiso Rabada,” he further added.
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Meanwhile, Aakash Chopra wondered whether the Gujarat Titans should introduce their key spinner Rashid Khan early into the attack in the IPL 2026 Qualifier 2 if their pace bowlers don’t dismiss Vaibhav Suryavanshi and Yashasvi Jaiswal.
“What about Rashid Khan? Rashid Khan has taken wickets, but he rarely bowls in the Powerplay. Will you want to bring him early this time? If Vaibhav Suryavanshi and Yashasvi Jaiswal don’t get out early, do you want to introduce him slightly early? It’s one thing that they must think about,” he said.
“There is Karamati Khan, who has plenty of experience on one side, but Yash Raj Punja has flown under the radar. Ever since he has come, his performance has been extremely praiseworthy. He bowls from a good height and has a high-arm action. He doesn’t bowl only fast. He bowls slightly slow as well, and he is also a wicket-taker,” Aakash Chopra concluded.
