Aakash Chopra’s Picks: Players to Watch in the KKR-SRH Clash
The Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) and the SunRisers Hyderabad (SRH) are set to face each other in the IPL 2024 clash at the Eden Gardens in Kolkata. With a change in leadership for both teams this year, cricket pundit Aakash Chopra has handpicked three players from each side to keep a close eye on during this highly anticipated match.
Shreyas Iyer: Making a Comeback
One of the players that Chopra is eagerly looking forward to watching is Shreyas Iyer, the new skipper of KKR. Iyer has faced various challenges in recent times, including back issues and contract disputes. Chopra empathizes with Iyer’s struggles and hopes to see him let his bat do the talking.
“The way things have happened in his life for the last little while, you start feeling for him. There were some back issues, the central contract issue, and slight issues against the bouncer. When you have so many issues, you say let’s hit the ground running. Make your bat do the talking,” Chopra expressed.
Rinku Singh: Striking Power in the Death Overs
Another player on Chopra’s radar is Rinku Singh, who has been in excellent form. As the T20 World Cup approaches, Chopra believes it’s crucial to see how Singh performs, especially considering the opposition’s bowling lineup. The ability to provide striking power in the death overs will be a crucial factor in this contest.
“The second player on my radar is Rinku Singh because he is in excellent form. Since the T20 World Cup is about to come, you want to see how he plays. The sort of bowling lineup the opposing team has, you will need a little striking power in the death overs. So that will be a good contest,” Chopra reasoned.
Mitchell Starc: The Most Expensive Player of the Tournament
The third player that Chopra has his eyes on is Mitchell Starc, the most expensive player of the IPL 2024. With a hefty price tag, expectations are high for Starc to make an impact right from the start. Chopra wonders if Starc can live up to the hype and prove his worth.
“The third player in focus is this tournament’s most expensive player – Mitchell Starc. When you have bought for him for so much money, you will expect him to hit his first ball on the stumps. The expectation is a hat-trick in the first over and the reality will be in front of us, whether he is worth 25 crores,” the former KKR player added.
Travis Head: Scoring Runs in India
Moving on to the SunRisers Hyderabad, Chopra’s first pick is Travis Head. With the team leaning towards an Australian direction, Chopra expects Head to deliver runs in the tournament happening in India. However, the question remains whether Head will secure a spot in the playing XI and who will open the innings with him.
“Travis Head, because the Hyderabad team has gone in the Australian direction. You scored runs against India, now score runs in the tournament happening in India. The first thing is whether he will play, and if he plays, who will open with him? I will be very focused on how this player plays,” Chopra explained.
Heinrich Klaasen: Adept at Playing Spin
Heinrich Klaasen is the second player from SRH that Chopra believes will make a significant impact. Klaasen is known for his excellent batting skills and might also take up the wicketkeeping duties. Chopra is particularly impressed with Klaasen’s ability to handle spin bowling, a crucial skill given the number of spinners in the opposition teams.
“Heinrich Klaasen is at No. 2. He is a very good player. You might see him keeping as well. He bats amazingly well and will do so in this tournament as well. The opposing team will have spinners. The others might surrender against spin but he plays spin well,” Chopra observed.
Pat Cummins: Leading the Way
Lastly, Chopra turns his attention to Pat Cummins, the captain of SRH. With a massive investment of 45 crores between Cummins and Starc, all eyes will be on him to lead the team effectively. Chopra is keen to see how Cummins performs as a bowler and how he handles the responsibilities of captaincy.
“Last but not the least, Pat Cummins, because we are talking about 45 crores between Cummins and Mitchell Starc. Some leagues have that much as their total budget. So how and where he will bowl, how many wickets he will take, and how he captains will be my focus,” he added.
Final Thoughts and Predictions
Chopra believes that the Kolkata Knight Riders have the upper hand heading into the KKR-SRH clash. If the match is played on a turning track, the scales will heavily tilt towards the home team. He also questions whether SRH will include Wanindu Hasaranga in their playing XI in such conditions.
The clash between KKR and SRH promises to be an exciting contest, with these six players expected to play crucial roles. Fans eagerly await their performances, hoping for a thrilling match filled with exceptional cricketing skills.
