Cricketer-turned-commentator Aakash Chopra has picked his ideal players for Mumbai Indians XI for the upcoming Indian Premier League (IPL) 2020 tournament.
Aakash Chopra being quite active on social media, has shared his all time favourite XI Mumbai Indians (MI), in a video shared on his facebook page.
The reputed commentator’s first pick for XI Mumbai Indians (MI) was Quinton de Kock.
“At No.1, I have kept Quinton de Kock. He does wicket-keeping as well and is an international calibre batsman who can be troubled a little by spin. But the pitches will not turn that much in the first half of the IPL and he gives the left-handed option as well.”
Rohit Sharma, was Aakash Chopra’s another choice as an opener while hoping that the Mumbai Indian’s captain performs that role instead of batting down the order.
Along with him, will be Rohit Sharma. I am hoping the captain Rohit to open and not go down the order. He is the kind of player who once he gets set, makes a lot of runs.”
Aakash Chopra’s another pick up was Suryakumar Yadav, who used to bat lower down the order for Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) but has excelled in the top order for Mumbai Indians (MI), as the No.3 batsman.
“At No.3, I have got Suryakumar Yadav. He can bat down the order as well but he has blossomed up the order. He used to bat well down the order for KKR but in this team I feel he should be kept at No.3.”
Ishan Kishan made Aakash Chopra’s ideal Mumbai Indians XI as the No. 4 batsman.
“At No.4, I have got Ishan Kishan. He is a very good player and gives another left-handed option to maintain the left-right option. He can keep wickets as well.”
Hardik Pandya was the first choice in the all-rounder’s spot.
“At No.5, I have kept Hardik Pandya. He is a runaway match-winner. He has not played for a long time which might go against him slightly but then, none of the players have played for 6 months.”
The No. 6 slot in Aakash Chopra’s ideal Mumbai Indians XI was taken by Kieron Pollard who is in devastating form in the ongoing CPL.
“Kieron Pollard is at No.6. He is the lord of T20 cricket and he will be coming after setting CPL alight and we will hope that he continues playing like that.”
Krunal Pandya was Aakash Chopra’s final pick as an all-rounder, with the left-hander also providing the much-required spin-bowling option.
“At No.7, I have got Krunal Pandya. He is another left-hander, excellent fielder and bowls decently as well. He can give 3-4 overs regularly.”
Nathan Coulter-Nile was the first bowler picked by Aakash Chopra in his ideal Mumbai Indians playing XI.
“At No.8, I am picking Nathan Coulter-Nile. He is an Australian bowler who was picked in the auction. He is a good player who can bat as well.”
Aakash Chopra unsurprisingly picked Jasprit Bumrah as one of the pace bowlers in his preferred Mumbai Indians XI.
Jasprit Bumrah is at No.9 in my side. He has to be there in any case.”
Rahul Chahar was the former KKR player’s pick as the specialist spinner, with the Mumbai-based franchise also having the option of using Anukul Roy and Jayant Yadav if the need arises.
“Rahul Chahar is the other spinner apart from Krunal Pandya. If required Anukul Roy and Jayant Yadav can also play.”
Trent Boult was Aakash Chopra’s final pick in his ideal Mumbai Indians playing XI.
“At No.11, I have kept Trent Boult. So we have a left-arm fast bowler. You could also opt for Mitchell McClenaghan instead of him or Nathan Coulter-Nile.”
Aakash Chopra signed off by picking Hardik Pandya as the Mumbai Indians player who is likely to excel the most in IPL 2020.
Aakash Chopra’s ideal Mumbai Indians XI: Quinton de kock (wk), Rohit Sharma (c), Suryakumar Yadav, Ishan Kishan, Hardik Pandya, Kieron Pollard, Krunal Pandya, Nathan Coulter-Nile, Jasprit Bumrah, Rahul Chahar, Trent Boult.
