Former Indian cricketer – Aakash Chopra on his YouTube channel, has recommended at least six viable replacement options for Chennai Super Kings (CSK) in place of veteran off-spinner, Harbhajan Singh, who has recently pulled out of IPL while citing ‘personal reasons. Overall, he became second CSK player to pull out of IPL 2020 after Suresh Raina.
Meanwhile, the cricketer-turned-commentator – Chopra came up with possible suggestions as MS Dhoni-led CSK is lacking an off-spinner.
The Agra-born Chopra, 42, has named three domestic Indian spinners and as many overseas cricketers whom he found suitable for the job at CSK.
Aakash Chopra picks three interesting foreign players:
Given to the options, Chopra named Windies promising cricketer Roston Chase as the first overseas cricketer. He remarked that Chase has been doing well in the ongoing Caribbean Premier League (CPL).
Also, he considered him for delivering against England in the recently-held Test series.
“I am starting with Roston Chase. He is not an ideal T20 player, but currently, he is doing well. He [Chase] is performing really well in the CPL. He did well in England as well, scored runs and took wickets as well,” Aakash Chopra said in his ‘Super Over’ show on YouTube.
So much so, Chopra asserted that Dhoni himself like such players who are delivering with both bat and ball.
“Chase can also bat and MS Dhoni likes players who do two things,” Chopra stated.
At number two, Chopra picked Australian star offie – Nathan Lyon, who has a bulk of experience on his back despite not doing much with the willow in hand.
“The second option is Nathan Lyon. He is also not an ideal T20 bowler else he would have been playing in the Australian team regularly. But he is an international bowler of repute and I feel he will be a bigger force if he plays under MS Dhoni. He doesn’t bat much but they can do without it,” Chopra added.
Chopra then went on to name Bangladesh’s Mehidy Hasan Miraz, who is having remarkable skills- to do wonders with bat and the ball. He maintained that Miraz can be a suitable option among the list of off-spinners.
“I have Mehidy Hasan Miraz at No.3,. He is a Bangladesh player, short in height but is an amazing player. He bats well and bowls well and with control. I think he can fit the bill for CSK,” Chopra further said.
Chopra, who himself represented in seven IPL matches had further names promising domestic players who could ‘fit the bill’ in place of Harbhajan.
First up, Chopra named outstanding all-rounder Jalaj Saxena given to latter’s contribution in the first-class set-up.
“My first Indian pick is Jalaj Saxena. He has been performing well for a long time and has played in the IPL before. If you see his first-class performance, you will feel why he doesn’t play for India,” Chopra said on Saxena.
Following this, Chopra picked Vidarbha off-spinner Akshay Wakhare, who had been an incredible asset for his team. Interestingly, Wakhare was effusively praised by Harbhajan for delivering goods.
Chopra said, “My second Indian option is Akshay Wakhare. He bowls off-spin and with good control. Even Harbhajan Singh has praised him a lot.”
Akshay wakhare consistent performer with the ball from last couple of years in 1st class cricket back to back Ranji trophy champion last two years.Great spell yesterday 5 for 13 against india green.winning another championship for his team.way to go.Indian test squad calling ?? pic.twitter.com/RcSPcJefcL
— Harbhajan Turbanator (@harbhajan_singh) September 8, 2019
Aakash Chopra has picked Karnataka’s spinner KC Cariappa given to his ability to well in the domestic professional T20 league.
However, Chopra is also worried that Cariappa has not been consistent enough to prove his credentials and which might go well against the mystery bowler, adding but it is always beneficial to pick an Indian as a replacement.
“Last but not the least, I am going with KC Cariappa. He has been picked in the IPL earlier and his name does the round as a mystery spinner. He is a little inaccurate which might go against him but picking an Indian is advantageous,” Aakash Chopra concluded.
Chopra had himself represented Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) in the IPL.
It becomes pertinent here, that they have already availed services of eight overseas players – a number deemed as maximum foreigners that a team could be having in their respective squads.
Anyway, it remains to be seen how CSK management will go with the choices for the like-for-like replacement of Harbhajan Singh.