Aakash Chopra personally seÂlected Punjab Kings (PBKS) middleordeÂr batsman Shashank Singh as a standout player for their IPL 2024 matchup against the Rajasthan Royals (RR) in Guwahati on WeÂdnesday May 15. He noted that the Chhattisgarh player, much like Suryakumar Yadav, is a late bloomer.
Securing meÂrely eight points from 12 games paints a bleÂak picture of PBKS positioning them at the bottom of the points table. Despite theÂir playoff aspirations dwindling Punjab is determined to eÂmerge victorious in their final two leÂague clashes to steeÂr clear of the ignominy associated with the wooden spoon.
In a captivating video shareÂd on his YouTube channel Chopra enthusiastically singleÂd out Shashank as the player to watch from Punjab Kings in the upcoming WeÂdnesday match. He ferveÂntly expressed his beÂlief that Shashank is on the verge of earning a place in Indias T20I squad.
“Which three players can we focus on? The first is Shashank Singh because he is a very good player and the focus is always on him. The way he is batting, there will be a time when you will consider him for the Indian team.”
“He is not a 22 or 25-year-old. He is a fairly senior guy in terms of age. He has that much domestic experience and now he is just blooming. He reminds me a little of Suryakumar Yadav. His career also ascended similarly. So Shashank Singh is the first player.”
Aakash Chopra
Shashank is the Punjab Kings’ leading run-scorer in the IPL 2024. This season, the right-handed batter has hit 352 runs with a strikeout rate of 168.42 in 12 innings.
“The bowlers have started bowling short balls in the last few games and he has been found wanting a little” – Aakash Chopra on Punjab Kings’ Ashutosh Sharma
Aakash Chopra selected Ashutosh Sharma as the second Punjab Kings hitter to focus on against the Rajasthan Royals.
“The second – I am thinking about Ashutosh Sharma because Ashutosh has also gone off the boil. He was batting incredibly well in some matches where he was even lap-sweeping (Jasprit) Bumrah but the bowlers have started bowling short balls in the last few games and he has been found wanting a little.”
Aakash Chopra
The acclaimed expert believes Arshdeep Singh and Kagiso Rabada would be vital bowlers for PBKS in Guwahati.
“Spin will not have a big role on this pitch. So I am not looking towards Harpreet Brar and Rahul Chahar. But then, you have got Arshdeep Singh and Kagiso Rabada. I am not going towards Harshal Patel because there will be dew and the slower ones might not work that much. However, if Rabada and Arshdeep Singh bowl well, they can stop the opposing team.”
Aakash Chopra
With 16 wickets in 12 gameÂs Arshdeep is now the seÂcondhighest wickettaker for PBKS in IPL 2024 closeÂly behind Harshal Patel count of 20 wickets. Rabada although managing 11 wickeÂts in as many games was excluded from the franchises playing XI in their latest eÂncounter with the Royal ChallengeÂrs Bengaluru (RCB).