Former Indian batsman Aakash Chopra has named five Indian youngsters who could hit the mark in the 13th edition of IPL. The cricket-turned-commentator picked up young lads who are yet to make their debut for Team India. The 13th edition of IPL was originally scheduled to kick off from March 29 was postponed indefinitely after April 15 due to the rising number of coronavirus cases in the nation.
The postponing of the World Cup to 2021 gave the IPL a window to be conducted in September. The IPL 2020 will begin from September 19 till November 10, a total 53-day campaign will see all the 8 teams play in UAE. The venue this time is UAE and matches will be played in Dubai, Abu Dhabi and Sharjah.
Aakash Chopra’s top 5 youngsters
Yashasvi Jaiswal
The commentator began with picking RR’s top-rated prodigy Yashasvi Jaiswal. The highly coveted youngster was the cause of a bidding war in the IPL auction. Every team wanted their hands on this prodigy, which resulted in a bidding war. In the IPL 2020 auction in December 2019, then 17-year-old Yashasvi was drafter at a base price of Rs 20 lakh. KKR and MI started with initial bids but Rajasthan Royals swooped in with a whopping Rs 2.4 crores to sign the young star.
“I am starting with Rajasthan Royals’ Yashasvi Jaiswal. And this player is going to garner a lot of fame, there is 100% guarantee about that. I feel Rajasthan Royals will make him open and he will never disappoint you. Left-handed swashbuckling opening batsman, he will take the attack to the opposition. And considering his confidence and temperament, he is a long-term prospect,” Aakash Chopra said.
Ravi Bishnoi
Second, he picked another U-19 hit Ravi Bishnoi. He will be playing with the KXIP team mentored by coach Anil Kumble in this IPL. The youngster has been applauded for his inch-perfect deliveries.
“At No.2, is his under-19 teammate who will be playing for Kings XI Punjab. Ravi Bishnoi will be playing under Anil Kumble’s tutelage and I feel he will do wonders. He bowls with a flatter trajectory and has a very good googly. Temperament is outstanding because he doesn’t bowl a loose delivery. He is going to really fire and shine because he will be playing in the huge grounds that will also assist spin.”he added.
Virat Singh
At third, he picked Jharkhand middle-order batsman Virat Singh who is gonna ply his trade with Sunrisers Hyderabad. He is an explosive batsman, much what the SRH team needs, according to Aakash Chopra.
“The third player I am going for is Virat Singh, who is there with Laxman bhai in Sunrisers Hyderabad. He comes from Jharkand and takes the attack to the bowlers. SRH needs a batsman who comes down the order and bats explosively and this is that guy. He has been outstanding for his teams in white-ball cricket so far.”he added.
Riyan Parag
The all-rounder was also a part of Rajasthan Royals last season and had put up impressive performances whenever given a chance. Aakash Chopra lauded his fearless attitude and his confusing carrom balls.
“At No.4, I am keeping Riyan Parag. This player is also very good. He plays with a lot of confidence and many people don’t know that he was a member of a World Cup-winning team. He was part of the team when Prithvi Shaw and Shubman Gill’s team won although his batting did not come. He bowls a little differently, with a lot of carrom balls. And this player is not scared while batting, he plays without any pressure.”
Devdutt Padikkal
Last but not the least, Aakash Chopra picked RCB’s Devdutt Padikkal who is an opener. Although RCB’s opening spot is stacked up but Aakash Chopra feels if Devdutt is given a chance he will make the full use of it.
“At No.5, I am slightly split. I was thinking Shivam Mavi and Kamlesh Nagarkoti but I will give you a name whom you may not have heard of, Devdutt Padikkal. He is part of Royal Challengers Bangalore and I want him to play. He is a left-handed opening batsman, although RCB has openers in Parthiv, Finch and captain Kohli also opens. But I feel if Devdutt Padikkal is given a chance, he will make the full use of it.”he concluded.
The squads comprising of Indian and some foreign players have reached UAE, and are quarantining following the BCCI guidelines. The competition is being conducted by the collective hardwork of many making such a big event possible in the pandemic hit world.