In IPL 2023, Aakash Chopra suggests that Varun Chakravarthy could be the perfect choice to be an ‘Impact Player’ for the Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR). On Saturday, April 1st, the KKR side will kick off their tournament with a game against the Punjab Kings (PBKS) in Mohali. Even though they have a formidable bowling attack ahead of the tournament, they may face challenges in the batting arena due to the absence of Shreyas Iyer.
In a video shared on his YouTube channel, Chopra discussed the Kolkata Knight Riders bowling and suggested that the franchise might benefit from using Varun Chakravarthy as an Impact Player in IPL 2023, saying:
“They have options in bowling. You can use either Vaibhav Arora or Kulwant Khejrolia as the Impact Player. If the ball is turning, you can use your spinner as the Impact Player. I feel Varun Chakravarthy can also be the Impact Player because you won’t need his batting.”
Former Indian batter highlighted that KKR has the major strength of two strong Indian pacers in the form of Umesh Yadav and Shardul Thakur, suggesting:
“Umesh Yadav bowled extremely well with the new ball last year. I expect the same, at least on the home ground, because the ball will swing there. So Umesh Yadav is one, and along with him in the Indian bowling, you have Shardul Thakur.”
“He (Shardul) can be slightly expensive but is a wicket-taker. You have two spinners in the form of Varun Chakravarthy and Sunil Narine, and if you want, you can play Anukul Roy as well. So this base is covered, you are absolutely fine.” He further added.
Varun Chakravarthy had a disappointing season in the IPL 2022, with only six wickets in 11 matches at an average of 8.51 runs per over. On the other hand, Sunil Narine managed nine wickets in 14 games, but his economy rate of 5.57 was exceptional last season.
“Andre Russell is Andre Russell” – Aakash Chopra
Chopra asserted that the Jamaican all-rounder could potentially be a major game-changer for KKR, both with the bat and ball, stating:
“There is always an issue about Andre Russell’s fitness, but Andre Russell is Andre Russell – rule him out at your own peril. He is a gun player who can actually take the attack to the opposition and blow away the opposition.”
“When he comes to bowl, he picks up two-three wickets in an over, but he is also the same bowler who can concede 50 runs in four overs.”
Russell had a remarkable run in the IPL 2022, smashing 335 runs at an impressive strike rate of 174.47 while also taking 17 wickets with an average of 9.86 runs per over.