Former India opener Aakash Chopra believes that Shahrukh Khan could be the most expensive uncapped Indian player in the upcoming IPL mega auction.
Notable that the mega auction will be held on February 12 and 13 in Bengaluru. The build-up has started as the think tank of all teams would have started to explore various options.
“He is the only Indian left whom you can expect to play the finisher’s role well”- Aakash Chopra
On the latest video for his Youtube channel, Aakash Chopra discussed the value of finishers in a team. He said that it’s the most difficult job in T20s as the batter gets an opportunity to bat only 10-15 deliveries in a match and there are not lots of players who do this job regularly.
“In my opinion, the finisher’s job is the most difficult because you get 10-15 deliveries. This is a very short list and whenever names from this list will come in the auction, I think they are going to go for a lot of money. That is why I feel, Shahrukh Khan will be the most expensive uncapped Indian at the IPL 2022 Auction,” Aakash Chopra said.
Shahrukh Khan hasn’t great numbers in IPL though he played some sparkling cameos to show a glimpse of his capability however he again presented his case with terrific performances in domestic tournaments. In Vijay Hazare Trophy, he scored 253 runs with an average of 42.16 and a strike rate of 186.02. Earlier in the Syed Mushtaq Ali Final, he played a match-winning knock of 33*(15) which included a last-ball six to clinch the title for Tamil Nadu.
“He is the only Indian left whom you can expect to play the finisher’s role well. Whether he does that or not, we don’t know but the expectation is that he will be able to do that, so he will be sold very expensive,” Chopra added further.
Chopra said that there is a lack of options in terms of finishers. That’s why the franchises kept going back to buy the same players again and hope that they would work this time around.
“That is why David Miller is bought every time – he is not getting bought very expensive because his performances have not been very good in the recent past. I feel he will be bought this year as well,” he opined.
Chopra also suggested some other names as he believes that Deepak Hooda, who recently received his maiden India call-up for ODIs, could fetch a good amount if he performs well in the ODI series. He also named Liam Livingstone, Sam Billings, and Dwayne Bravo as a few other options.
“Deepak Hooda- his name has come in the team, the attempt is being made to prepare him as a finisher. He could be sold expensive if he has a good ODI series. You can get Liam Livingstone to do that job, he does something close to that for England.
“There are very few cricketers like that in world cricket. You go repeatedly towards Dinesh Karthik because of that. Mitchell Marsh – he is extraordinary, but there is also an injury issue. Then Dwayne Bravo, Sam Billings – he is good but it is sometimes difficult to hit in Indian conditions,” he concluded.
Also read “Under Rahul Dravid, India Is In A Very Safe Space Right Now”- Dinesh Karthik