Veteran commentator Aakash Chopra stated that the Punjab Kings (PBKS) might consider releasing Sam Curran before the IPL 2024 auction. PBKS bought Curran for a whopping ₹18.5 crore at the IPL 2023 auction but he had a poor season with both bat and ball, with the franchise also failing to reach the playoffs for the ninth consecutive year as well.
In a video shared on his YouTube channel, Aakash Chopra said: “If you look at Sam Curran, he was bought for a lot of money, the most expensive player. How was his performance? I would say it was extremely 50-50. Return on investment is not in the positive. They might even release him ahead of the next year. You should try to understand why this is happening. Many times a player comes and you run after him to buy him, of course to acquire that talent, but you have probably not judged fully where he fits in your team. Sam Curran is a good example.”
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However, Sam Curran claimed only 10 wickets in PBKS’ 14 matches in IPL 2023. He also proved quite expensive as well, conceding an average of 10.22 runs per over as well. Aakash Chopra also shared that PBKS’ decision to use Curran as a new-ball bowler compromised Arshdeep Singh’s effectiveness as well. He also added that Curran wasn’t used well with the bat too. He scored 276 runs in 13 innings at a strike rate of 135.96 only.
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“Sam Curran has the ability to bowl with the new ball, although the new ball remains 50-50 in Indian conditions. To give the new ball to Curran, you put Arshdeep Singh on ice. Kagiso Rabada is another new-ball bowler. You said you will give the new ball to only one left-arm fast bowler, so Sam Curran you bowl. After half the season, you suddenly realized that you are unable to use Curran fully. In batting, the position at which Curran bats, he cannot be used that much. If you always keep him for the death – 50-50. If you keep him for the death, it’s still fine, but if you say that a collapse is happening and ask him to get set and play, Sam Curran is one person and cannot do everything,” Aakash Chopra concluded.
