Aakash Chopra cheered Kagiso Rabada And Jofra Archer's exemplary performance during the ongoing Indian Premier League (IPL) 2026. They will be in focus once again in Qualifier 2 as Gujarat Titans take on Rajasthan Royals at the Maharaja Yadvendra Singh International Cricket Stadium in Mullanpur on Friday, May 29.
Chopra said GT head coach Ashish Nehra and RR bowling coach Shane Bond would have told Rabada and Archer respectively to leave the slower balls and try to bowl as fast as possible.
“GT has taken 31 wickets in the powerplay. RR is not too far behind. They have also taken 29 wickets. Kagiso Rabada is bowling like fire. Bhai is proper fire, but Joffra is no less. He is also bowling at 150 kmph. I think both the bowling coaches have whispered something in his ears, that he should bowl longer balls more quickly, and stay away from slower balls,” Chopra said.
He said, “Both were guilty of this. Jofra used to bowl leg-cutter variations and Kagiso Rabada used off-cutter variations. This time there is clarity in the roles. Shane Bond might have spoken to Jofra, and it could be Ashish Nehra's input for Kagiso Rabada.”
Chopra stressed that if the Shubman Gill-led side takes two or more wickets inside the power play, it wins eight of its nine matches. Meanwhile, Riyan Parag and Co. win six out of seven games if they take two or more wickets in the first six overs.
“Would you like to bring him sooner this time?” – Aakash Chopra on Rashid Khan ahead of IPL 2026 Qualifier 2
Aakash Chopra wondered whether Shubman would bring Rashid Khan into the attack early if the fast bowlers cannot get rid of the dangerous Vaibhav Suryavanshi-Yashasvi Jaiswal duo.
He said, “What about Rashid Khan? Rashid Khan has taken wickets, but he rarely bowls in the powerplay. Would you like to bring him in early this time? If Vaibhav Suryavanshi and Yashasvi Jaiswal do not get out early, would you like to bring him in a little early? That is something that they should think about.”
Chopra said that while the Titans have a very experienced leg spinner in Rashid, youngster Yashraj Punja has also impressed in his debut IPL season. The former India opener mentioned that the 19-year-old has a high-arm action and bowls slower in search of wickets.
Chopra said, “On one side there is the charismatic Khan, who has a lot of experience, but Yashraj Punja has come under the radar. Ever since he came, his performance has been extremely commendable. He bowls at a good height and has a high-arm action. He doesn't just bowl fast. He also bowls a little slow and he is a wicket-taker as well.”
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