KL Rahul will score big runs. Experts think so, especially Aakash Chopra. He feels Rahul will shine in Lucknow Super Giants’ (LSG) IPL 2024 match versus Rajasthan Royals (RR).
The two teams battle in Lucknow on Saturday, April 27. A Royals win gives them a six-point lead at the top. But if Super Giants triumph, they’ll climb to second place.
In a YouTube video, Chopra named KL Rahul as the first LSG player to focus on in Saturday’s evening game.
“Since he failed in the last match, let’s focus on Rahul. There will be slight danger from Trent Boult but after that, Sandeep Sharma and Avesh Khan. As good as everyone is, you can actually back KL Rahul to do well.”
Aakash Chopra
The former India opener believes Nicholas Pooran will be a key role for the hosts.
“Then Nicholas Pooran in the middle order because he is in that kind of form. If you have to neutralize Yuzi (Yuzvendra) Chahal and Ravichandran Ashwin’s threat, Pooran needs to do well. So the second guy I am going with is Nicholas Pooran.”
Aakash Chopra
Chopra identified Mayank Yadav, assuming he plays, or Mohsin Khan, as the LSG bowler to watch out for.
“With the ball, if Mayank plays, then Mayank, and if he doesn’t, I will go with Mohsin Khan. Mohsin Khan dismissed Yashasvi (Jaiswal) in their last clash. So I will focus on him that if Mayank Yadav is not playing, let’s go with Mohsin Khan to watch out for.”
Aakash Chopra
Mayank took six wickets in his first two IPL 2024 games, but suffered a hip injury in his third match. Mohsin has taken seven wickets in five games, trailing only Yash Thakur (9) in the franchise’s wicket-taking stats.
“I am going with the two openers” – Aakash Chopra on the RR players to watch out for
Aakash Chopra has named Yashasvi Jaiswal and Jos Buttler as the Rajasthan Royals batsmen to watch out for.
“If I talk about Rajasthan, Yashasvi is coming after scoring a hundred, so you need to back him. Jos Buttler along with Yashasvi. He is coming as an impact sub but is making a strong impact. So I am going with the two openers – Yashasvi and Jos Buttler.”
Aakash Chopra
The commentary star (a former cricketer) opted for Trent Boult. He overlooked Yuzvendra Chahal and Ravichandran Ashwin, deeming Boult the visitors.
“I should go with a fast bowler at this ground. So I am leaving Yuzi Chahal and Ashwin. I am going with Trent Boult. New ball, a little movement, with Quinton de Kock and KL Rahul in front of him – two big threats. If Trent Boult does the job at the start, the scales of the match will tilt.”
Aakash Chopra
Boult’s taken nine wickets over eight games. Second-most wicket-taker for Royals in IPL 2024, only trailing Chahal (13 scalps). The left-arm seamer is behind just Yuzvendra Chahal in number of dismissals for franchise this season.