Many times, Aakash Chopra spoke. He said PBKS’ overseas players failed in IPL 2024.
In fact, PBKS batted first. They only scored 142! Then GT chased the target easily. GT won with 5 balls left, 3 wickets left. PBKS lost their 6th match out of 8.
In a video posted on his YouTube page, Chopra chastised the Punjab Kings, particularly its overseas hitters, for struggling against spin.
“When you came to bat, you were unable to play spin. The truth is that you surrendered against spin, whether it was Sai Kishore, Noor Ahmad or Rashid Khan. You didn’t have any idea. Please hire your overseas recruits carefully next time because your overseas recruits are letting you down day after day after day.”
“It started with Jonny Bairstow and you can see Rilee Rossouw now or Liam Livingstone after that. If you have to play overseas players in India, they have to play spin better but they didn’t have a clue. Extremely ordinary batting.”
Aakash Chopra
Sam Curran, Liam Livingstone and Rilee Rossouw scored a combined 35 runs. The Punjab Kings’ top-order collapsed. They were struggling at 99/7. Harpreet Brar’s blazing cameo of 29 off 12 deliveries boosted their total. But it wasn’t enough to pull off a victory.
“You had two spinners and one of them was Liam Livingstone” – Aakash Chopra questions Punjab Kings’ team selection
Aakash Chopra questioned the Punjab Kings’ decision to exclude Rahul Chahar from their starting XI. He found it surprising on a spin-friendly pitch. They could have utilized his spin bowling skills. The pitch aided spin bowling.
“Then you also ask one more question. Why didn’t you play Rahul Chahar when you knew the pitch was going to turn? The opposing team played three spinners and all three were economical and picked up wickets as well – seven wickets between the three spinners. You had two spinners and one of them was Liam Livingstone.”
Aakash Chopra
Reminiscing over Gujarat Titans’ pursuit, the analyst censured Shubman Gill. He squandered his wicket carelessly, a shot lacking prudence.
“Let’s be fair, they made a match of it. They dismissed Wriddhiman Saha at the start. Shubman Gill was playing well but played a bad shot to get out. You could have gone after finishing the game. David Miller isn’t scoring runs at all. When Sai Sudharsan got out to Sam Curran’s ball, the match opened up suddenly.”
Aakash Chopra
On the other hand, Chopra congratulated Rahul Tewatia for ending the game with his intelligence.
“Ultimately Rahul Tewatia came. I find him a very interesting player. Some players have the power to hit sixes. He doesn’t have that power but he converts his weakness into his strength. He says he has the cricketing smarts to play the field and the situation, pick his bowlers, and choose the right option at the right time. That makes Rahul Tewatia the player he is.”
Aakash Chopra
Gill hit a Liam Livingstone delivery straight down the long-off fielder’s neck for a 29-ball 35. Tewatia hit an unbeaten 36 off only 18 deliveries to propel the Titans over the line.