Aakash Chopra is unclear on why the Delhi Capitals (DC) decided to let go of Rovman Powell and bring in Shai Hope during the IPL 2024 auction.
Before the sale, the Capitals dismissed 11 players, including Powell. Hope was one of nine players that the Delhi-based team bought during the auction to round up their 25-man roster at full strength.
In a video that he posted to his YouTube account, Chopra expressed his confusion at the Delhi Capitals’ choice to trade Powell for Hope. He declared:
“They have made some interesting changes. They let Rovman Powell go but they have taken Shai Hope. What are Delhi thinking? I see Shai Hope as an extremely interesting choice.”
Aakash Chopra
The former India opener made the observation that DC kept the team members who saw little action while releasing players who were consistent contributors. He clarified:
“Firstly, they did an interesting job at the time of release. They released everyone who they played or gave chances to. They said they don’t like them. They retained whoever they didn’t give chances to. They asked Yash Dhull, Vicky Ostwal and Pravin Dubey to stay back as they couldn’t play them.”
Aakash Chopra
Besides Powell, the Capitals let go of Manish Pandey, Rilee Rossouw, Chetan Sakariya, Phil Salt, Mustafizur Rahman, Kamlesh Nagarkoti, Ripal Patel, Sarfaraz Khan, Aman Khan, and Priyam Garg.
Aakash Chopra baffled by Delhi Capitals’ acquisition of Harry Brook
The Delhi Capitals’ decision to acquire Harry Brook caught Aakash Chopra off guard as well. He stated:
“They bought Harry Brook. They have bought him for sure but I am slightly surprised about what could be their thinking behind it. You can forget his performances for England for some time.”
Aakash Chopra
When batting in the middle order for the SunRisers Hyderabad in the 2023 Indian Premier League, the England player was found wanting, according to the former cricket player turned analyst. He noted:
“When he played for (SunRisers) Hyderabad, he scored one century while opening. Whenever he batted down the order, he didn’t do anything. Later he didn’t do anything at the top as well. They have kept Harry Brook assuming he will do a great job for them down the order.”
Aakash Chopra
Chopra questioned the decision of the Capitals to select Brook as a middle-order hitter rather than Phil Salt, who was effective for them at the top of the order. He suggested that Sherfane Rutherford, Shahrukh Khan, Shubham Dubey, and Rovman Powell would have made stronger middle-order batting choices.