“I would say it was extremely 50-50. Return on investment is not in the positive:” Aakash Chopra on World Cup winning all rounder

Former India cricketer Aakash Chopra feels the Punjab Kings (PBKS) may consider releasing Sam Curran before the IPL 2024 auction. Curran was purchased by Punjab Kings for an amazing cost of INR 18.5 crore at the Indian Premier League 2023 auction, but had a dismal outing this year as PBKS failed to enter the playoffs yet again.

Curran had a decent strike rate of 135.96 in the IPL 2023 while scoring 276 runs in 13 innings. However, he did not have as many game-changing knocks as he did for the Chennai Super Kings. Curran was purchased for a record-breaking fee in the auction, owing to his outstanding performance in England’s triumph at the T20 World Cup in 2022. Unfortunately, he was unable to live up to the hype.

Chopra examined the performances of some of the notable acquisitions made in the just concluded Indian Premier League. He stated that the investment in Curran was futile and that the team may chose to release him the next year.

Aakash Chopra said

“If you look at Sam Curran, he was bought for a lot of money, the most expensive player. How was his performance? I would say it was extremely 50-50. Return on investment is not in the positive. They might even release him ahead of the next year,” he said speaking on his YouTube channel.

He also stated that the Punjab Kings’ pre-acquisition preparation was insufficient before signing the seam-bowling all-rounder. Chopra also alleged that Arshdeep Singh’s production was impeded by the manner the franchise deployed Curran as a new-ball bowler.

 “You should try to understand why this is happening. Many times a player comes and you run after him to buy him, of course to acquire that talent, but you have probably not judged fully where he fits in your team. Sam Curran is a good example. He has the ability to bowl with the new ball, although the new ball remains 50-50 in Indian conditions. To give the new ball to him, you put Arshdeep Singh on ice,” he added.

“You said you will give the new ball to only one left-arm fast bowler, so Sam Curran you bowl. After half the season, you suddenly realized that you are unable to use Curran fully,” Chopra concluded.

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