Aakash Chopra, the former Indian opener has picked his ideal playing XI for the Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) for IPL 2020. He pointed out that the Kolkata-based franchise could have a few problems with their death bowling.
Aakash Chopra went about the task of picking the strongest possible Kolkata Knight Riders lineup for the upcoming IPL in a video shared on his Facebook page.
Aakash Chopra Picks Sunil Narine And Shubman Gill As Openers
The renowned batsman turned commentator picked Sunil Narine to bat at the top of the order for Kolkata Knight Riders, considering the spin-bowling all-rounder’s excellent batting prowess in the recently concluded CPL.
“I am picking Sunil Narine at No.1. He will do well in batting and he is a terrific bowler anyway,” he said.
He chose Shubman Gill to open the batting for Kolkata Knight Riders along with him while hoping that the classy Punjab batsman becomes a regular member of the Indian team soon.
“I want to have Shubman Gill opening with Sunil Narine,” he stated.
Aakash Chopra picked in form batsman Nitish Rana to bat at 3rd position in his ideal KKR playing XI, with the dashing batsman giving the team another left-handed option after Sunil Narine.
“At No.3, I want to play Nitish Rana. He will provide another left-handed option.”
Aakash Chopra hoped that KKR captain Dinesh Karthik bats at No. 4 in IPL 2020 to enhance his chances of staging a comeback to the Indian team primarily as a wicket-keeper-batsman.
“At No.4 is the captain Dinesh Karthik. I will advice him to bat at No.4 if he wants to push Pant and Rahul for the wicket-keeper’s spot, as he will need a couple of good IPLs.”
Eoin Morgan who is another left-handed batsman got the nod to bat at the No. 5 position in Aakash Chopra’s preferred KKR playing XI with the England skipper coming into the IPL in terrific batting form.
“At No.5 I have Eoin Morgan. He is the England captain and is coming after playing some quickfire knocks.”
The former KKR player chose destructive Andre Russell to bat at No. 6 while opining that the big-hitting all-rounder should bat when there are seven overs or so left in the inning.
“At No.6, I have got Andre Russell. He can come up the order as well.”
Aakash Chopra reckoned that the franchise could have a slight problem at No. 7, with none of the available options in Rinku Singh, Siddhesh Lad and Rahul Tripathi proficient to bat at that position.
“They can play Rinku Singh, Siddhesh Lad or Rahul Tripathi but none of them is a No.7 batsman.”
He also added that KKR’s finishing strength is one of the best in IPL 2020, along with that of the Mumbai Indians.
Aakash Chopra Picks Kuldeep Yadav As A Spin Option Besides Sunil Narine
Aakash Chopra picked Australian Pat Cummins as his premier pacer as the most expensive pick at the IPL auction is capable of batting well too.
“At No.8, I have got Pat Cummins,” he added.
The 42-year-old chose Kuldeep Yadav as the specialist spinner in his ideal KKR playing XI while predicting that the left-arm wrist-spinner will perform exceptionally well in the upcoming IPL.
“At No.9, I have got Kuldeep Yadav. “
Prasidh Krishna was Aakash Chopra’s pick as the first Indian pace bowler, and the latter observed that the KKR death bowling could be a concern for them.
“At No.10, you will definitely play Prasidh Krishna.”
Aakash Chopra concluded by giving Shivam Mavi, Kamlesh Nagarkoti and Sandeep Warrier as the three options for KKR for the final Indian pacer’s spot.
“At No.11, I am giving three options – Shivam Mavi, Kamlesh Nagarkoti and Sandeep Warrier,” Aakash Chopra.
Aakash Chopra’s ideal Kolkata Knight playing XI: Sunil Narine, Shubman Gill, Nitish Rana, Dinesh Karthik, Eoin Morgan, Andre Russell, Rinku Singh/Siddhesh Lad/Rahul Tripathi, Pat Cummins, Kuldeep Yadav, Prasidh Krishna, Shivam Mavi/Kamlesh Nagarkoti/Sandeep Warrier