Why Rishabh Pant Should Bat Up the Order for Delhi Capitals: Aakash Chopra’s Recommendation
The Delhi Capitals have been a team to watch out for in the IPL 2024, and one player who has stood out with his explosive batting performances is Rishabh Pant. However, former Indian cricketer Aakash Chopra believes that Pant should be given the opportunity to bat higher up the order in the team’s upcoming clash against the Mumbai Indians. In a recent video on his YouTube channel, Chopra expressed his concern over Pant batting too low in the previous match against MI and emphasized the impact the young wicketkeeper-batsman could have if given the chance to bat higher.
Pant’s Impressive Form and Contributions
Rishabh Pant has been in exceptional form in the IPL 2024, emerging as the leading run-scorer for the Delhi Capitals. In his nine innings so far, Pant has amassed a total of 342 runs at an impressive strike rate of 161.32. His ability to score quick runs and his aggressive style of play make him a valuable asset for the team. In the previous match against MI, Pant walked out to bat after the 15th over, which according to Chopra was too late considering the impact Pant could have had on the game.
Chopra’s Plea to Pant
Chopra made a heartfelt plea to Rishabh Pant, urging him to consider coming up the batting order in the upcoming match against the Mumbai Indians. He expressed his disappointment over Pant being sent in to bat so late in the previous clash and stated that Pant was the only player who could have potentially won the game for the Capitals. Despite the narrow margin by which they lost to MI, Pant’s remarkable innings of 88 runs showcased his ability to dominate the opposition. Chopra believes that if the conditions are slightly slower, no one will be able to play better than Pant and therefore, he deserves a chance to bat higher up the order.
“My heart cried when Rishabh Pant came to bat very low against this team last time. I said he should have batted as he only could have won the game. They lost by a very small margin to Mumbai. So I will request Rishabh with folded hands that he should come to bat up the order. You scored 88 in the last match and if the conditions are even slightly slower, no one will be able to play better than you. So please come up the batting order,” expressed Chopra.
Axar Patel: Another Player to Watch Out For
Apart from Rishabh Pant, Aakash Chopra also highlighted the significance of Axar Patel in the Delhi Capitals’ lineup. Patel, who played a crucial role in the previous game against the Gujarat Titans, scored a remarkable 66 runs off just 43 balls at the number three position. Chopra expects Patel to continue his impressive performance with the bat and also contribute with his bowling skills in the upcoming clash against the Mumbai Indians.
“The second player who comes to my mind is Axar Patel, who was sent up the order and he batted well too. I expect him to also bowl well in this match. He might not get to bat so high again. It doesn’t matter even if he gets to do that. He played Rashid (Khan) and Noor (Ahmed) very well and the opposing team does not have very good spinners,” reasoned Chopra.
Kuldeep Yadav: The Wicket-taking Machine
Aakash Chopra also highlighted the performance of Kuldeep Yadav, who has been consistently picking up wickets for the Delhi Capitals in the IPL 2024. Despite missing the previous match against the Mumbai Indians, Chopra expects Yadav to make a significant impact in the upcoming clash. With 12 wickets in just six games, Yadav is the leading wicket-taker for the Capitals in this season. His ability to spin the ball and deceive batsmen makes him a valuable asset in the team’s bowling lineup.
“The third player I am thinking about is Kuldeep Yadav because he is consistently picking up wickets. He picked up two wickets in the last match and four in the game before that. I believe he will take wickets against Mumbai as well. He couldn’t play the last match against them but he is available now and playing,” observed Chopra.
Delhi Capitals’ Quest for Victory
The Delhi Capitals currently stand at the sixth position on the points table, with eight points from nine games. A victory against the Mumbai Indians would not only boost their confidence but also help them join three other teams on 10 points. The upcoming clash against MI is crucial for the Capitals, and the team will be relying on the performances of players like Rishabh Pant, Axar Patel, and Kuldeep Yadav to secure a win.
Conclusion
Aakash Chopra’s recommendation for Rishabh Pant to bat higher up the order for the Delhi Capitals holds merit, considering Pant’s exceptional form and ability to score quick runs. Along with Pant, Chopra also highlighted the significance of Axar Patel’s batting skills and Kuldeep Yadav’s wicket-taking ability in the team’s quest for victory. The upcoming clash against the Mumbai Indians presents an opportunity for the Delhi Capitals to strengthen their position on the points table and the performances of these key players could play a crucial role in determining the outcome of the match.
