IPL 2020: Jasprit Bumrah Should Be Given Overs The Middle – Aakash Chopra
Oct 1, 2020 at 7:40 PM
Aakash Chopra, former Indian opener turned commentator has opined that Mumbai Indians pacer Jasprit Bumrah has been bowling all the tough difficult overs for the Mumbai Indians (MI) in IPL 2020 and could be given an odd easy over to relieve the pressure on him.
He made this observation while commentating on the clash between Mumbai Indians and Kings XI Punjab (KXIP) in a video shared on his YouTube channel.
Aakash Chopra: KXIP Have Problems In Death Bowling As Only Mohammed Shami Is A Frontline Death Bowler
Aakash Chopra pointed out that Kings XI Punjab have issues to be addressed particularly in their bowling department, with not much support for death over specialist pacer Mohammed Shami.
“Kings XI Punjab have problems in their bowling attack because Sheldon Cottrell is not your great gun death bowler. Neesham is not at all a gun death bowler. Shami is the only one left,” Aakash Chora said.
The renowned commentator also suggested certain changes KXIP could make to strengthen their bowling lineup as they have spinner Mujeeb Ur Rahman and pacer Chris Jordan too in the lineup.
“I would want to play Mujeeb Ur Rahman instead of Jimmy Neesham so that you get your full 5 bowlers. And I will also think about playing Hardus Viljoen or Chris Jordan instead of Sheldon Cottrell because the latter does not give much confidence to me personally.”
Sheldon Cottrell was hammered by Rahul Tewatia of Rajasthan Royals when he hit the pacer for 5 sixes as Rajasthan won by 4 wickets chasing 224 of KXIP.
Aakash Chopra Mentions MI Can Include Nathan Counter-Nile
Aakash Chopra mentioned that the only possible change in the Mumbai Indians lineup is the inclusion of Nathan Coulter-Nile in place of James Pattinson, subject to the former’s fitness.
“Mumbai Indians might have lost the last match but there a lot of positives from their last game against RCB. In terms of change, I can only think of a Nathan Coulter-Nile, in case he is fit he can play for Pattinson may be.”
The former KKR player highlighted the fact that death over specialist Jasprit Bumrah is being made to bowl all the tough overs by the Mumbai Indians. He hopes that the premier fast bowler in MI lineup should be given an odd easy over to lift the pressure on him.
“I feel Bumrah is being given all the difficult overs for Mumbai Indians. If he can be given one or two easy overs in the middle, it won’t be a bad idea that Rohit might just consider.”
Aakash Chopra picked the contest between pacer Jasprit Bumrah and leading run-scorer and KXIP skipper KL Rahul as the player battle to look forward to in today’s encounter between the Mumbai Indians and Kings XI Punjab.
“Jasprit Bumrah vs KL Rahul is a mouth-watering clash and that is why I feel Bumrah should bowl the first over. If not the first, definitely the second over. I feel it is wrong if you save him for the 6th over.”
He expressed hope that Mumbai Indians give the new ball to Jasprit Bumrah so that the two key players for their respective teams come head to head at the very beginning of the Kings XI Punjab innings since KL Rahul opens the innings along with Mayank Agarwal who is 2nd among leading run-scorer behind KL Rahul himself.
“If you have Rahul in front and you have Bumrah in your team, it is a heavyweight clash and they should make it happen upfront. It will be a contest between probably the best T20 batsman in the world currently against one of the finest white-ball bowlers the world has ever seen.”
Aakash Chopra concluded by picking Mumbai Indians as the probable winner in their encounter against Kings XI Punjab today.
“I am saying Mumbai Indians will win this contest,” he said.
Kings XI Punjab and Mumbai Indians are placed fifth and sixth in the IPL 2020 points table currently, and they both have one win from three matches. They would be keen to get back to winning as another loss would be a setback for them in the race for the four playoff berths.