Former Indian batter Aakash Chopra picked Rishabh Pant as the player to watch in the match between Delhi Capitals (DC) and Rajasthan Royals (RR) in the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2024. Aakash Chopra said that Rishabh Pant could play a crucial role against Ravichandran Ashwin and Yuzvendra Chahal.
The Delhi Capitals will face the Rajasthan Royals in their next match at the Arun Jaitley Stadium in Delhi on Tuesday, May 7. The Capitals are in sixth place in the points table with 12 points. The Rishabh Pant-led side aims to secure victory to enhance their chances of qualifying for the playoffs in the tournament.
Meanwhile, the Rajasthan Royals occupy second place in the standings with 16 points to their tally. The Sanju Samson-led team has secured eight victories and two losses in 10 matches so far. The Royals will seal their spot in the top two places if they manage to secure victory in the upcoming match in Delhi.
Impossible To Go Beyond Rishabh Pant - Aakash Chopra
In a video shared on his YouTube channel, Aakash Chopra suggested that Rishabh Pant should bat higher in the order and adopt a more controlled approach. The former Indian opener stated that Pant should counter Ravichandran Ashwin and Yuzvendra Chahal effectively.
"It is impossible to go beyond Rishabh Pant. I am firstly hoping that Rishabh comes to bat slightly up the order and secondly, he shouldn't do what he was doing in the last match. In the last match, it seemed like he was adamant that he would play only odd shots until he got out," Chopra said.
"However, this is his home. So Rishabh Pant, this is your ground and stage, make it your own. Play an incredible knock because both Ashwin and Chahal will be in the opposition. Only you can stop Ashwin and Chahal and hit them," he added.
Rishabh Pant has scored 398 runs at an impressive average of 44.22 and a strike rate of 158.56. The left-handed batter has hit three half-centuries with a best score of 88*. He scored 28 runs off 26 balls, including two fours and a six, in his last match against the Rajasthan Royals in Jaipur.
Jake Fraser-McGurk Can Change This Team's Present And Future - Aakash Chopra
Aakash Chopra believes Jake Fraser-McGurk could change the team's dynamic by neutralizing threats like Trent Boult and Sandeep Sharma. The cricketer-turned-commentator stated that if Fraser-McGurk plays six to seven overs, he could substantially boost the team's score.
"Once again Jake Fraser-McGurk. He is a player who can change this team's present and future. If he gets going, which means if he neutralizes Trent Boult's threat and manages Sandeep Sharma, he can hit. If he plays six to seven overs, the team's score is suddenly close to 90. The game will then start moving in that way," Chopra further added.
Jake Fraser-McGurk has scored 259 runs in six matches at an impressive average of 43.17 and an outstanding strike rate of 233.33. He has amassed 172 runs in three games at an average of 57.33 at the Arun Jaitley Stadium. He achieved the feat of scoring a half-century off 15 balls twice this season.
Also read: KKR vs MI: Harshit Rana takes a dig at BCCI following a 98-run victory over LSG
