With the 2020 edition of the Indian Premier League just around the corner, fans are waiting anxiously for the league to begin. Meanwhile, many cricket experts and cricketers are coming up with their all-time favorite XI for franchises.
Recently, former Indian opener and commentator Aakash Chopra picked his all-time favorite Rajasthan Royals playing XI. However, in his favorite XI, some of the big names like Steve Smith and Ben Stokes couldn’t get a spot.
During an interaction on YouTube channel, Aakash Chopra pointed out that the franchise’s star performers have always been the overseas players with only a few Indian players showing their talents. He said:
“Over the years RR’s performers have always been overseas players, whether it is batsmen, bowlers or all-rounders. You can only see a handful of Indian players.”
Picking his all-time favorite RR-XI, Aakash Chopra named Ajinkya Rahane and Shane Watson as his openers. He said:
“I am starting with Ajinkya Rahane along with Shane Watson, who is now playing for Chennai Super Kings while Rahane is with Delhi. But I have to keep them in the all-time Rajasthan team.”
He picked Jos Buttler as the wicket-keeper batsman at number 3 position. He said:
“After that will be Jos Buttler, this is where the problem is as I have picked two overseas players in the top three. Buttler is outstanding and will also be my wicketkeeper.”
While picking his all-rounders, Aakash Chopra pointed out that the team is blessed to have so many all-rounders. He said:
“These are my top 3 players and all are explosive players. Watson’s bowling performance has also been top-class. One thing good about them is that they have lots of all-rounders.”
At number 4, Aakash Chopra picked Sanju Samson and observed that he would have included Steve Smith as well but because of limited bowling options, he chose to not include him. Sanju Samson was followed by Rahul Tripathi. He said:
“At No.4, I have got Sanju Samson which makes it two Indian players. I was trying to fit Steve Smith in somehow but only two overseas spots are left and who would be bowling in that case. So, I couldn’t include him.”
He added:
“At No.5, after searching a lot the best I could find is Rahul Tripathi. Stuart Binny was the other option but because I am looking for a No.5 batsman, I have kept Rahul Tripathi. Even if you keep anyone like Maneria or Asnodkar, you will say he is not a very good choice at No.5. I could have kept Ben Stokes but then who would be bowling. So I couldn’t keep him as well.”
Yusuf Pathan was the final pick as a batsman in Aakash Chopra’s all-time favorite XI for Rajasthan Royals. He said:
“At No.6, I have kept Yusuf Pathan. He is definitely going to be there and will bowl a little as well.”
At no. 7 Aakash Chopra picked as the first all-rounder in his all-time favorites. Jadeja was followed by Shane Warne, who was also picked as the skipper of his all-time favorites. He said:
“At No.7, I have got Ravindra Jadeja who spent his initial years with RR although he is a settled player in CSK now.”
He added:
“I have made Shane Warne the captain of this team. He had done a very good job as a captain and bowler in the initial years that he had played.”
For number 8, 9 and 10, Aakash Chopra picked Siddharth Trivedi, Munaf Patel and Jofra Archer, who were picked in his bowling attack. He said:
“I still need two Indian bowlers in the last three spots. I didn’t find high quality Indian bowlers even after searching. So I have kept Siddharth Trivedi. He was not express but that’s the kind of bowlers these guys have picked. James Faulkner could have been there but I couldn’t pick him as well.”
He added:
“At No.10, I have kept Munaf Patel. The other option could have been to play Faulkner in place of Trivedi or Munaf Patel and play Shreyas Gopal instead of Warne. “At No.11, I have got Jofra Archer. This is the best that I can do for Rajasthan Royals.”
