Ahead of the crucial IPL 2024 clash between Rajasthan Royals (RR) and Chennai Super Kings (CSK), former Indian opener Aakash Chopra has made some interesting predictions on his YouTube channel. With a playoff spot within reach, all eyes are on Rajasthan Royals to perform well against CSK at Chepauk, the home ground of veteran spinner Ravichandran Ashwin.
Ashwin: A Threat to His Former Teammates?
Chopra expects Ashwin to be a major threat to his former teammates, highlighting his recent bowling form. “He picked up three wickets in the last match and was the only bowler who was bowling well,” stated Chopra. Ashwin’s dismissal of explosive batsman Jake Fraser-McGurk in the previous match further strengthens Chopra’s belief in his bowling prowess.
Looking ahead to the specific batting lineup CSK might deploy, Chopra emphasizes Ashwin’s advantage. “Here, you might get Rachin [Ravindra] at the start and then Moeen [Ali], and after that, Ravindra Jadeja and probably Mitchell Santner,” he explained. Considering the potential presence of left-handed batsmen, Ashwin’s off-spin bowling becomes a significant threat. Chopra summarized his prediction with a touch of sentimentality, stating, “He is a Chennai boy. Chennai boy vs Chennai, so I am going with Ravichandran Ashwin for this one.”
Samson’s Captaincy and Continued Batting Success in Focus
While Ashwin takes centre stage on the bowling front, Chopra identifies Sanju Samson as a crucial batsman for RR. “Since it’s a day game, I am not going towards Jos Buttler as they might make a very slow pitch,” explained Chopra, acknowledging the potential challenges a sluggish pitch might pose for the aggressive batsman. Instead, he emphasizes Samson’s recent form, stating, “Sanju Samson – he scored runs in the last match. Can we expect runs from him in this match as well? You can expect that. He is batting really well.”
Beyond his batting prowess, Chopra highlights Samson’s leadership qualities. “Very few players, who have been selected in the Indian team for the World Cup, are still doing well but he is one of them. So Sanju Samson is an important player, and his captaincy – he has been doing really well as well,” he said.
Riyan Parag Tipped for Success on Spin-Friendly Pitch
With the Chepauk pitch expected to favour spin bowling, Chopra suggests Riyan Parag as another key batsman to watch for RR. “In this match, I am thinking whether Riyan Parag could be that second player because it will be a slightly spin-friendly pitch. So Jos Buttler and Shimron Hetmyer might not like the pitch that much,” he explained. Parag’s ability to handle spin bowling and his recent batting form make him a strong contender for a good performance.
While acknowledging a slight dip in Parag’s performance trajectory, Chopra believes he has the potential to excel. “So maybe it’s Riyan Parag’s night,” he stated. Parag is currently the second-highest run-scorer for RR in IPL 2024, with only Samson surpassing him.
With the playoffs on the horizon, the upcoming match between RR and CSK promises to be a thrilling encounter. Aakash Chopra’s insights highlight key players who could significantly impact the outcome of the match. Whether Ashwin can dismantle his former team’s batting lineup, and whether Samson and Parag can deliver with the bat on a spin-friendly pitch, will be interesting to watch.
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