Former Indian cricketer Aakash Chopra has picked his best XI from the recently concluded Indian Premier League (IPL). Chopra made some difficult choices, leaving out Dinesh Karthik, Umran Malik, Wanindu Hasaranga and Rashid Khan.
The former Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) cricketer picked players based on their usual batting positions and stuck to the norm of fielding four overseas cricketers. Aakash Chopra named Orange Cap winner Jos Buttler for the dual role of an opener and the wicket-keeper. He picked KL Rahul as his opening partner.
While sharing the XI through a video on his YouTube channel, Aakash Chopra said, “If you have to pick an opener, close your eyes and think, only one name comes, that’s Jos the boss Buttler. Buttler has to be the No. 1 opener in this entire tournament. He has done an unbelievable job. I have kept him as the keeper.”
He added:
“Along with him, I have kept KL Rahul. I thought about Quinton de Kock and Shubman Gill but KL Rahul – more than 600 runs, two centuries. Once again eat, sleep and score 600 runs in the IPL. Form is temporary, KL Rahul is permanent.”
Aakash Chopra chose Rahul Tripathi and Hardik Pandya to bat at No. 3 and No. 4 respectively and also named the latter as the skipper of his side. The 44-year-old named Liam Livingstone and David Miller as the two finishers. Andre Russell, who had a superlative campaign, also made the cut.
Aakash Chopra picks his bowlers for IPL 2022 XI
The cricketer-turned-commentator picked Yuzvendra Chahal as the lone spinner. Wanindu Hasaranga and Rashid Khan were the contenders but Chahal made the cut as he finished with the Purple Cap.
He chose Avesh Khan, Mohammed Shami and Arshdeep Singh as the frontline pacers in his XI. Elaborating on his decision, Aakash Chopra said:
“Avesh Khan is in my side. I was thinking about Mohsin Khan, Umran Malik and Prasidh Krishna but I am still going with Avesh Khan – fewer bad days. After that, I have gone with Mohammed Shami, he was unbelievable. Last but not the least, at No. 11 is Arshdeep Singh. In my opinion, he has been the standout bowler once again.”
Aakash Chopra’s IPL 2022 XI: Jos Buttler, KL Rahul, Rahul Tripathi, Hardik Pandya (c), Liam Livingstone, David Miller, Andre Russell, Yuzvendra Chahal, Avesh Khan, Mohammed Shami, Arshdeep Singh.
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