Former India player turned veteran commentator Aakash Chopra has chosen three players each from Rajasthan Royals (RR) and the Lucknow Super Giants (LSG) for their IPL 2024 clash. The two sides will take on each other in Jaipur in the first game on Sunday, March 24. LSG registered a 10-run win in the only game vs RR last year.
In a video shared on his YouTube channel, Chopra said, “Yashasvi Jaiswal is the first. I am very bullish that he will win the Orange Cap. Considering the form and ability to destroy he has come with and that the Lucknow bowling is not that sharp, I feel he will hit a lot in the first six overs. The second is Jos Buttler. I can actually go a step further. I feel Buttler and Jaiswal might be the best opening partnership in this tournament when you see the most runs scored or balls played in the end as a combination.”
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With 21 wickets in 14 innings which came at an economy rate of 8.17, Yuzvendra Chahal was the Royals’ highest wicket-taker in IPL 2023. The leg-spinner, who seems to be out of the radar of the Indian team, could come in contention for a spot for the T20 World Cup if he
does well in IPL 2024.
“I want to see Yuzi Chahal. He has fallen out of favour slightly. Yuzi’s numbers are not that good on this ground but until when will they not remain good – quality player, big ground, slightly spin-friendly pitch, so eventually he will come to the fore,” he said.
Ravi Bishnoi is the other two LSG players he will closely watch as well and Chopra claimed that it’s difficult to pick a likely winner but the home team might emerge victorious.
“When I look towards Lucknow, I start with KL Rahul. He is coming back from injury and is the captain as well. He will bat at a new number. I am very eager to see where and how he bats. We shall find out whether we will see Kamal Lajawab Rahul or not. After that, I feel Devdutt Padikkal. He is Indian cricket’s future but is also the present now. He made his (Test) debut recently, scored 65 runs. He might be seen opening. If he does that, how he plays will be another focus point,” Aakash Chopra again stated.
“The third player I am thinking about is how would Ravi Bishnoi bowl. This captain should use Ravi Bishnoi properly. I see him bowling in the powerplay because as soon as they start getting hit, Bishnoi will be brought into the attack. He will bowl in the powerplay and will be given wicket-taking overs later as well,” Aakash Chopra concluded.
