Lucknow Super Giants (LSG) finished 7th in the points table last year, winning only six out of their 14 matches. The Rishabh Pant-led team would like to make a strong comeback in the upcoming edition of the Indian Premier League (IPL).
While choosing LSG's playing XI, Chopra said that Aiden Markram, Mitchell Marsh, Nicholas Pooran and captain Rishabh Pant will definitely start. The former India opener named Ayush Badoni, Abdul Samad and Shahbaz Ahmed as batsmen, while Himmat Singh is in the running to be included among the impact players.
He said, “What could be the XI? Aiden Markram, Mitchell Marsh, Nicholas Pooran and Rishabh Pant – random. Then you will see Ayush Badoni, Abdul Samad and Shahbaz Ahmed playing. You can see Himmat Singh in the middle as an impact player.”
Wanindu Hasaranga was ruled out of the T20 World Cup after getting injured in Sri Lanka's first game of the tournament. Chopra said that if the Sri Lankan spinner is not there, Digvesh Rathi, Mohammed Shami and Avesh Khan could start, with Mayank Yadav or Mohsin Khan being the other fast bowlers in the XI. The cricketer turned specialist said that either Himmat or Mukul Chaudhary can be used as an impact player.
He said, “If Wanindu Hasaranga is not there, they would like to include Digvesh Rathi, Mohammed Shami, Avesh Khan and one of Mayank Yadav and Mohsin Khan. Then you will have the option of impact players in the form of Himmat Singh and Mukul Choudhary.”
Aakash Chopra supports Aiden Markram Mohammed Shami Finishing as the highest run-scorer and highest wicket-taker respectively for LSG in the upcoming IPL season.
Chopra said, “Who will score the most runs? Aiden Markram one more time. He is that kind of player. He will play all the matches. Who will take the most wickets? I would say Mohammed Shami. He will be excited.”
Make powerplay bigger with both bat and ball: Chopra
Chopra advised the Super Giants to make good use of the powerplay with both bat and ball. He also suggested that one of their top four batsmen should consider batting around the 18th over.
“What will be their strategy? Make the powerplay big with both bat and ball. With the bat, keep hitting fours and sixes. Score 60-70 runs in the first six overs. The top four just have to crack it. You want at least one of the top four to last till the 18th over,” he said.
“Whoever is in the top four, he should try to hold on till the 18th over, so that when an Indian kid comes from the other end, you are the one taking responsibility and ownership. The game plan will be the same with the ball. Strike blows in the powerplay. That's where you take the bull by its horns because death bowling can be a bit of a concern,” Chopra said.
LSG begin their campaign on Wednesday, April 1, when they take on Delhi Capitals at the BRSABV Ekana Cricket Stadium, Lucknow.
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