Rohit Sharma was Aakash Chopra’s top pick when analyzing the Mumbai Indians squad. He sets eyes on their IPL 2024 encounter versus Chennai Super Kings.
Two best performing IPL squads ever shall go head-to-head at Wankhede Stadium, Mumbai, Sunday’s second match (14th April). Mumbai team enters this hugely anticipated battle following triumphs in their preceding two clashes. They’ll strive to sustain winning streak.
In a video posted on his YouTube account, Chopra stated that the magnitude of the game assures that the spotlight would be on former Mumbai Indians captain Rohit Sharma.
“Mumbai has become like a juggernaut. Their batting style is at a different level. They are doing rocket batting. Since it is Mumbai-Chennai, the first player I am going to pick is Rohit Sharma. There is no doubt that he is in very good form. He is hitting at a strike rate of 200-odd and when he hits, he hits decently.”
“He started slightly slowly in the last match, so Ishan Kishan said that he was there to manage. Ishan’s form is also good. So Ishan is there but I am going towards Rohit for a very simple reason – it’s the sort of match where there is more focus on Sharma ji’s son.”
Aakash Chopra
Rohit’s bat has blazed 156 runs in IPL 2024. His strike rate is stunning – 167.74 across five innings. His highest score stands at 49. He yearns to reach his maiden half-century in the tournament versus CSK.
“The focus will be on Bhau” – Aakash Chopra on Mumbai Indians’ Suryakumar Yadav
Chopra picked Yadav, Mumbai’s batting standout, as key to their success.
“After that, Suryakumar Yadav. The focus will be on Bhau. He did rocket-like batting in the last match. I am looking towards Suryakumar Yadav as the second player because Mumbai have started to play with a philosophy that they will cover up for their bowling, which is looking slightly weak, by posting 225 to 230-run totals.”
Aakash Chopra
Jasprit Bumrah, ahead of Hardik Pandya and Tilak Varma, is the third Mumbai Indians player the acclaimed analyst is most forward to seeing.
“I wanted to talk about Hardik Pandya and Tilak Varma but this team has a lion named Jasprit Bumrah. He is roaring as well as hunting. He shrinks the match to a 16-over affair. Jasprit Bumrah is one guy who always stands in the middle. If Mumbai bowl first, he won’t let you reach the score you want to reach. If they bowl second, you will be able to hit everyone else but not him.”
Aakash Chopra
Jasprit Bumrah tops the wicket takers for MI in IPL 2024’s battles. With just five matches played, the skillful right-arm seamer has claimed ten valuable scalps. Remarkably, he boasts an impressive economy rate of a mere 5.95 runs conceded per over.