Aakash Chopra has identified Aaron Jones as a vital player for the United States of America in their 2024 T20 World Cup match against India. He mentioned that the middle-order batter’s swashbuckling performance versus Canada was worth seeing.
The United States, who are second in Group A, will meet top-ranked India in New York on Wednesday, June 12. The hosts will attempt to maintain their perfect record in the competition against the Men in Blue and advance to the Super Eights.
In a YouTube video, Aakash Chopra named Steven Taylor, Monank Patel, and Aaron Jones as players to watch out for in the United States.
“You will find Steven Taylor opening. He is actually this team’s strongest player. You would remember the catch he took off (Mohammad) Rizwan but he is a very good batter, a very reliable batter. Over the years, he has been their best player.”
“Then you will see Monank Patel. He is actually batting extremely well. The way he hit Shaheen (Shah Afridi) straight, Monank Patel looked very composed and a very solid batter. After that, Aaron Jones. If you didn’t see the Canada innings, watch it, the amazing sixes he hit.”
Aakash Chopra
Chopra highlighted that Jones’ big-hitting talent, which he exhibited against Canada, may be useful in New York.
“The match was tilting in favor of Canada but after that the sixes Aaron Jones hit. He is a six-hitter and players who hit fours are anyway not successful on this ground because it is a sand-based ground and fours are not getting hit at all. So that is a bit of an issue.”
Aakash Chopra
Jones hit ten sixes in his unbroken 94 off 40 deliveries in the USA’s seven-wicket victory over Canada. He also made an undefeated 36 off 26 deliveries in the main game of the co-hosts’ Super Over victory over Pakistan.
“They are not using Corey Anderson well” – Aakash Chopra
According to Aakash Chopra, the United States is not making the best use of Corey Anderson.
“They are not using Corey Anderson well. I am slightly surprised about that. Corey Anderson is a good player. He bowls and bats. He was doing extremely well until the last series but, I don’t know why, the team has deserted him slightly. They neither used him in the Super Over nor before that.”
Aakash Chopra
The cricketer-turned-commentator believes the former New Zealand all-rounder may pose a danger to India.
“I think he could be a threat against India because when you have left-arm spin from both ends, you can send him in the middle and try to accelerate because a 120 to 135-run match is so short that if you get a 22 to 28-run knock in which you hit three sixes, it could be a knock that makes it game, set and match.”
Aakash Chopra
Chopra identified Ali Khan, Saurabh Netravalkar, and Nosthush Kenjige as the key bowlers for the United States. He highlighted that the United States has a quality squad and advised India not to underestimate them.