Aakash Chopra believes Devdutt Padikkal is an excellent addition to the Lucknow Super Giants (LSG) ahead of the IPL 2024 season.
LSG acquired the left-handed batsman from the Rajasthan Royals (RR) before of the 2024 IPL auction. In exchange, they provided Avesh Khan to the Jaipur-based franchise.
In a video posted on his YouTube page, Chopra discussed the Lucknow Super Giants’ capabilities. He described Padikkal’s inclusion as a positive step, saying:
“I think Devdutt Padikkal is a fantastic addition. A question will definitely be there about where they should get him to bat. I want him to open. Along with him, Kyle Mayers/Quinton de Kock. My heart says Quinton de Kock because if I play him 14 matches, he will play at least five game-changing knocks.”
Aakash Chopra
The former India opener mentioned that LSG has a sizable abroad component.
“This team has lots of all-rounders. Their overseas bunch is extremely strong. They have Ashton Turner, Marcus Stoinis, Kyle Mayers, David Willey, Quinton de Kock, Nicholas Pooran, Shamar Joseph and Naveen-ul-Haq. So they do have a fairly decent overseas squad and many of them are all-rounders.”
“You can see Marcus Stoinis and Kyle Mayers, and Quinton de Kock is a wicketkeeper. Then you have got Nicholas Pooran, who is a wicketkeeper. Ashton Turner is an all-rounder. There are plenty of options to play around.”
Aakash Chopra
Chopra believes that Quinton de Kock, Nicholas Pooran, and Marcus Stoinis should be three of the four international players in LSG’s starting lineup. He stated that the fourth player may be Shamar Joseph or Naveen-ul-Haq.
Aakash Chopra Praises Lucknow Super Giants’ All-Round Depth
Aakash Chopra noticed that the Lucknow Super Giants had a handful of Indian all-rounders as well.
“Then they have Deepak Hooda. His recent first-class form was very good. Devdutt Padikkal, KL Rahul, and another all-rounder in the form of Krunal Pandya. Deepak Hooda is also an all-rounder. It’s a team filled with all-rounders.”
Aakash Chopra
The cricketer-turned-commentator mentioned that LSG has a good spin-bowling trio.
“They have options in spin bowling. They have Amit Mishra, Ravi Bishnoi and Krunal Pandya. So they will have eight overs of decent spin and then they always used Mishra as an Impact Player.”
Aakash Chopra
Chopra said the Lucknow Super Giants’ pace attack is solid, with players like Mohsin Khan, Yash Thakur, Mayank Yadav, Naveen-ul-Haq and Shamar Joseph. He stated KL Rahul’s team is very decent.