Aakash Chopra has picked his IPL 2022 Team of the Season. The cricketer-turned-pundit snubbed the likes of Dinesh Karthik, Rashid Khan, and Umran Malik but named Andre Russell, Mohammed Shami, and David Miller in the XI. There remain a few strange picks in Aakash Chopra’s IPL 2022 Team of the Season.
The 15th edition of the IPL 2022 saw some youngsters step up and deliver while there were some old horses who breathed new life into their careers with their performances.
Aakash Chopra Picks Batters KL Rahul, Jos Buttler, Rahul Tripathi, Hardik Pandya, Liam Livingstone, David Miller, And Andre Russell In His IPL 2022 Team
Umran Malik was one of those players who impressed everyone with his pace and tenacity for Sunrisers Hyderabad while Dinesh Karthik was also branded the finisher of the season by many for his superlative show in the Royal Challengers Bangalore shirt.
Yet, quite surprisingly, the duo missed out on the ‘Team of the Season’ picked by former India cricketer-turned-pundit Aakash Chopra. In a video on YouTube, Aakash Chopra assembled a star-studded XI based on his opinion of the performances in IPL 2022. Understandably, Lucknow opener KL Rahul and Rajasthan Orange Cap holder Jos Buttler were the two openers he began with.
“Along with him, I have kept KL Rahul. I thought about Quinton de Kock and Shubman Gill but KL Rahul – more than 600 runs, two centuries. Once again eat, sleep and score 600 runs in the IPL. Form is temporary, KL Rahul is permanent.”
At the No. 3 spot, Sunrisers Hyderabad batter Rahul Tripathi got the nod from Aakash Chopra. But, Aakash Chopra did admit that Lucknow’s Deepak Hooda was a strong contender too. The No. 4 position went to Hardik Pandya, the title-winning skipper this season.
“I had done a poll for No. 3 – Deepak Hooda or Rahul Tripathi. I have picked Rahul Tripathi, about 80% have also voted for Rahul Tripathi. After that, my Player of the Tournament, his name is Hardik Pandya – he is a captain, bowler and batter. He is the captain of this team as well.”
At No. 5, Punjab Kings’ batter all-rounder Liam Livingstone was Aakash Chopra’s pick while the No. 6 position saw RCB keeper Dinesh Karthik being snubbed in favour of Gujarat’s David Miller.
“At No. 5, I have got Liam Livingstone. He is a six-hitting machine and has done amazingly well this year. At No. 6, some thinking was required on who could be kept – DK (Dinesh Karthik) could have been there but I have actually gone with David Miller because he has had a season that is one to remember.”
Andre Russell, at No. 7, was another pace-bowling all-rounder on the team. Andre Russell did well both with the bat and the ball despite the fact that his team Kolkata Knight Riders failed to secure a top 4 finish.
Aakash Chopra Picks Yuzvendra Chahal, Avesh Khan, Mohammed Shami, And Arshdeep Singh In His IPL 2022 Team
The four mainstream bowlers that Aakash Chopra picked were, Rajasthan’s Purple Cap holder Yuzvendra Chahal, Lucknow pacer Avesh Khan, and Gujarat pacer Mohammed Shami, and Punjab’s pacer Arshdeep Singh.
“In my four bowlers, there is one spinner, his name is Yuzi Chahal. He is the Purple Cap holder. Rashid Khan and Wanindu Hasaranga could have also been there here but my four overseas slots are over.”
“Avesh Khan is in my side. I was thinking about Mohsin Khan, Umran Malik and Prasidh Krishna but I am still going with Avesh Khan – fewer bad days. After that, I have gone with Mohammed Shami, he was unbelievable. Last but not the least, at No. 11 is Arshdeep Singh. In my opinion, he has been the standout bowler once again.”
Surprisingly, there was no place for the likes of pacer Umran Malik, spinner Rashid Khan, and pacer Mohsin Khan on the list. RR’s Jos Buttler won the Orange Cap with 863 runs and RR’s Yuzvendra Chahal won the Purple Cap with 27 wickets.
Aakash Chopra’s IPL 2022 XI: Jos Buttler, KL Rahul, Rahul Tripathi, Hardik Pandya (c), Liam Livingstone, David Miller, Andre Russell, Yuzvendra Chahal, Avesh Khan, Mohammed Shami, Arshdeep Singh.