Defending champions Mumbai Indians have struggled to find the rhythm in the ongoing season of IPL. The batters have struggled with their batting and tried to rotate to find the perfect combination. Ahead of their clash against Chennai Super Kings, former India cricketer Aakash Chopra has picked Mumbai’s ideal No.4 batter.
In their last game against Rajasthan Royals, Krunal Pandya walked in at No.4. And, Pandya did a wonderful job with the willow in hand and scored 39* off just 26 deliveries to guide his side to a win. But Aakash Chopra believes Krunal is not the ideal batter to bat at the important position of No.4.
Ishan Kishan should bat at No.4 for Mumbai Indians – Aakash Chopra
The cricketer-turned commentator feels Ishan Kishan is the ideal candidate to bat at that position. Chopra also stated that if the Rohit Sharma-led side has kept Krunal Pandya in the side for his bowling, he questioned them as to why the Mumbai side gave Krunal just a solitary over to bowl.
Aakash Chopra was also of the opinion that in Mumbai’s next clash against Chennai, the MS Dhoni-led side has a plethora of left-handers like Moeen Ali, Sam Curran, Suresh Raina, and Ravindra Jadeja in their arsenal, and Krunal might not get to bowl much.
“It was certainly interesting that they dropped in the last match. They have enough bowlers but Krunal Pandya batting at No.4. Personally, I don’t like the idea. Not that I don’t like Krunal Pandya but my issue is that if you are playing him to bat at No.4, then Ishan is better.
And if you have kept him for bowling, then you gave him just the one over. The opposition team will have left-handers here as well. Firstly, you will have Moeen Ali, then Suresh Raina, and then Jaddu and Sam Curran. So, you will not be able to bowl Krunal Pandya much here as well,” said Chopra on his YouTube Channel.
Aakash Chopra is also of the opinion that Mumbai Indians should consider bringing in Jayant Yadav in their playing XI, drop Krunal Pandya and get Ishan Kishan into the side.
“If that is the case, you should continue to play Jayant, keep the rest also the same and get Ishan Kishan instead of Krunal. Ishan looked alright in Chennai also, he was not doing that bad. Other than that, I don’t see scope of any other change in this team,” concluded Chopra.
