Over the years, the Indian Premier League has become one of the most loved leagues around the world. Not just it gives a chance to the cricketers to earn some big amounts but also give them a platform to showcase their talents in front of the fans and the national selection committee.
The upcoming edition of the Indian Premier League is just around the corner and the excitement among fans for the much-awaited league is at its peak. As the season is just about to begin, several cricketers, cricket pundits, and experts have been discussing and debating over their all-time favorite XI and cricketers they would be looking forward to watching in the upcoming season.
Recently, Indian commentator Aakash Chopra picked five such men, who will remain under the spotlight in IPL 2020.
Aakash Chopra began his list by picking left-handed opening batsman Yashasvi Jaiswal, who was bought by Rajasthan Royals for INR 2.4 crores. Praising him, Aakash Chopra said:
“I am starting with Rajasthan Royals’ Yashasvi Jaiswal. And this player is going to garner a lot of fame, there is 100% guarantee about that. I feel Rajasthan Royals will make him open and he will never disappoint you. Left-handed swashbuckling opening batsman, he will take the attack to the opposition. And considering his confidence and temperament, he is a long-term prospect,”
Aakash Chopra picked Kings XI Punjab’s leggie Ravi Bishnoi and expressed confidence that under the leadership of Anil Kumble, Ravi will do wonders for the team. He said:
“At No.2, is his under-19 teammate who will be playing for Kings XI Punjab. Ravi Bishnoi will be playing under Anil Kumble’s tutelage and I feel he will do wonders.”
He added:
“He bowls with a flatter trajectory and has a very good googly. Temperament is outstanding because he doesn’t bowl a loose delivery. He is going to really fire and shine because he will be playing in the huge grounds that will also assist spin,”
For the third position, Aakash Chopra picked Virat Singh, who will be seen playing in middle-order for Sunrisers Hyderabad. Praising how Virat Singh has the capability to bat explosively. He said:
“The third player I am going for is Virat Singh, who is there with Laxman bhai in Sunrisers Hyderabad. He comes from Jharkand and takes the attack to the bowlers. SRH needs a batsman who comes down the order and bats explosively and this is that guy. He has been outstanding for his teams in white-ball cricket so far,”
Riyan Parag, who will be seen playing for Rajasthan Royal is the fourth on Aakash Chopra’s list. Riyan has performed beyond expectations in the last season. Showering praises on him, Aakash Chopra said:
“At No.4, I am keeping Riyan Parag. This player is also very good. He plays with a lot of confidence and many people don’t know that he was a member of a World Cup-winning team.”
“He was part of the team when Pritvi Shaw and Shubman Gill’s team won although his batting did not come. He bowls a little differently, with a lot of carrom balls. And this player is not scared while batting, he plays without any pressure,”
For the fifth position, he backed Devdutt Padikkal, a lesser-known name, while pointing out the Royal Challengers Bangalore has talented openers like Aaron Finch, Parthiv Patel, and Virat Kohli, but he still chose to show his full support to Padikall. He said:
“At No.5, I am slightly split. I was thinking Shivam Mavi and Kamlesh Nagarkoti but I will give you a name whom you may not have heard of, Devdutt Padikkal. He is part of Royal Challengers Bangalore and I want him to play.”
He added:
“He is a left-handed opening batsman, although RCB has openers in Parthiv, Finch and captain Kohli also opens. But I feel if Devdutt Padikkal is given a chance, he will make the full use of it,”
