Aakash Chopra personally believes that it would be wise for the Rajasthan Royals (RR) to keep Yashasvi Jaiswal in their squad for the forthcoming IPL 2025 auction. He highlights the fact that a mere underwhelming season should not overshadow a players capabilities.
RR made it to the IPL 2024 playoffs but got eliminated by the SunRisers Hyderabad (SRH) in Qualifier 2. Jaiswal scored a total of 435 runs with an average just below par at 31.07 in 15 innings in the recent season.
In a YouTube video, Chopra stated that Sanju Samson and Jaiswal should be the Rajasthan Royals’ first two retentions.
“The first will be the captain – Sanju Samson. Firstly, he is a good captain. (Ravichandran) Ashwin was saying the other day – ‘I don’t know where he has learned this art but he is a very good captain’. From wherever he might have learned, since he is captaining well, you want to retain him.”
“The second, I feel you will have to keep Yashasvi Jaiswal. A player does not become bad because of a year going bad. He is a long-term investment. You retained him when he was uncapped, so you should 100% retain him now.”
Aakash Chopra
While identifying Jos Buttler as the third retention, Aakash Chopra pushed the Rajasthan Royals to keep Riyan Parag above Yuzvendra Chahal if just three Indians could be kept.
Aakash Chopra Favors Retaining Riyan Parag Over Chahal for Rajasthan Royals
While identifying Jos Buttler as the third retention, Aakash Chopra encouraged the Rajasthan Royals to keep Riyan Parag ahead of Yuzvendra Chahal if just three Indians could be kept.
“Jos Buttler will be one player I will retain. So you can assume he is my third retention. Now one between Riyan Parag and Yuzvendra Chahal. I will be very tempted to retain Riyan Parag because they have invested a lot in Riyan Parag. I can acquire Yuzi Chahal using the ‘Right to Match’ card, or else the other way around.”
Aakash Chopra
During the auction, a reputable expert offered Dhruv Jurel as an RTM possibility.
“If I get a chance to use another ‘Right to Match’ card, I will go with Dhruv Jurel because he is the kind of player you can invest in. In the future, he can go ahead of Riyan Parag because I think he is more ready. He hasn’t got too many opportunities but I would love to hold on to him.”
Aakash Chopra
Following the aforementioned players, Chopra suggested that the Rajasthan Royals consider keeping or reacquiring Trent Boult and Ravichandran Ashwin. He stated that RR might not be able to reunite Ashwin and Chahal again, despite their desire to do so.