Aakash Chopra, the former Indian opener has picked a player from each of the eight franchises who could be the Most Valuable Player (MVP) for them in IPL 2020. He shared his choices in a video shared on his YouTube channel. Shane Watson received the MVP award in 2008 and 2013.
Adam Gilchrist received it in 2009, Sachin Tendulkar in 2010, Chris Gayle in 2011, Sunil Narine in 2012 and 2018, Glenn Maxwell in 2014, Andre Russell in 2015 and 2019, Virat Kohli in 2016, and Ben Stokes in 2017. The award was called the Man of the Tournament until the 2012 season. The IPL introduced the Most Valuable Player rating system in 2013, the leader of which would be named the Most Valuable Player at the end of the season.
Aakash Chopra. Image Credit: Twitter.
Aakash Chopra Picks Hardik Pandya, Ravindra Jadeja, Virat Kohli, And Rashid Khan As MVPs Of Their Respective Franchise
Aakash Chopra went for all-rounder Hardik Pandya as the defending champions Mumbai Indians likely star performer in the upcoming IPL while also naming Rohit Sharma, Kieron Pollard and Jasprit Bumrah as the other notable contenders.
“Rohit Sharma, Kieron Pollard, Jasprit Bumrah and Hardik Pandya are some of the big names in Mumbai Indians. I feel he (Hardik Pandya) will be making crucial contributions with both bat and ball throughout the IPL.”
All-rounder spinner Ravindra Jadeja was the reputed commentator’s pick as the probable MVP for Chennai Super Kings in IPL 2020 considering his skills, with skipper wicket-keeper MS Dhoni as the other possible option.
“I am leaning towards Ravindra Jadeja as the MVP for Chennai Super Kings. I am thinking about MS Dhoni also because this team cannot operate without him. So, I am going with Ravindra Jadeja for his contribution with bat, ball and in the field.”
Hardik Pandya. Photo Credit: Getty Images.
Aakash Chopra unsurprisingly picked RCB skipper Virat Kohli as the player to watch out for from the RCB camp in IPL 2020 and observed that the run machine is likely to score more than 600 runs this season.
“Royal Challengers Bangalore has AB de Villiers, Virat Kohli, Moeen Ali, Aaron Finch and Chahal. I am going with Kohli, with the bat he is an absolute beast.”
Rashid Khan was Aakash Chopra’s pick as the likely MVP from Sunrisers Hyderabad in the upcoming IPL, besides naming David Warner and Mohammad Nabi as the other primary contenders.
“In Sunrisers Hyderabad, Jonny Bairstow, David Warner, Rashid Khan, Mohammad Nabi and Bhuvneshwar Kumar would come in contention. I am going with Rashid Khan. Mohammad Nabi could also be there and thereabouts.”
Rashid Khan has the best economy rate of 6.55 in IPL.
Aakash Chopra Picks Andre Russell, Shreyas Iyer, KL Rahul, And Jos Buttler As The Other 4 Franchise’s Most Valuable Player
Aakash Chopra picked Andre Russell as the most critical player for Kolkata Knight Riders in IPL 2020. He mentioned that it would be a toss-up between the Jamaican all-rounder and teammate Sunil Narine while opting for the former.
“Kolkata Knight Riders has many match-winners. But when you talk about MVP, the toss-up will be between Sunil Narine and Andre Russell.”
Delhi Capitals captain Shreyas Iyer got Aakash Chopra’s vote as the franchise’s likely star performer in the upcoming IPL, and he observed that it is a close call between the former and Rishabh Pant.
“Delhi Capitals also has quite a few match-winners. Here it is a toss-up between Rishabh Pant and Shreyas Iyer. Personally I feel that this year will be Shreyas Iyer’s.”
Andre Russell. Photo Credit: BCCI/IPL.
The former KKR player chose wicket-keeper skipper KL Rahul as the probable MVP from Kings XI Punjab while opining that the batsman can end up as the highest run-scoring Indian batsman in the IPL.
“Kings XI Punjab have many match-winners littered around but I will go with KL Rahul.”
Aakash Chopra concluded by picking Jos Buttler as the most crucial player for Rajasthan Royals in IPL 2020, considering the destructive abilities of the opening batsman.
“Rajasthan Royals also has big names. I am going with Jos Buttler as the MVP. He plays spin well and the UAE pitches would be good for batting in the initial stages.”
Aakash Chopra’s MVP picks from each of the IPL franchises: Hardik Pandya (MI), Ravindra Jadeja (CSK), Virat Kohli (RCB), Rashid Khan (SRH), Andre Russell (KKR), Shreyas Iyer (DC), KL Rahul (KXIP), Jos Buttler (RR)
