Former India batsman and c3ricket Analyst Aakash Chopra has picked five overseas batsmen in IPL 2020 who he thinks will be the showstoppers this season. Aakash Chopra is a well-known commentator who runs a YouTube channel ‘Cricket Aakash’.
The former India Test opener has carved a niche for himself with his sharp analysis of the game. Aakash picked Faf Du Plessis, Eoin Morgan, Glenn Maxwell, Steve Smith, and David Warner as his top overseas batsmen for this season.
He first talked about CSK’s Faf Du Plessis, He expects him to fill the void left by Raina as the Former Proteas skipper has a wealth of experience in his armoury playing for South Africa all these years. Moreover, he stressed upon the point that Du Plessis plays spin really well which will help on the dry pitches in UAE.
Aakash Chopra picks five overseas batsmen for IPL 2020
“Let me start with Chennai Super Kings. With Raina not there, they have some difficulties but Faf du Plessis could be the answer to that. He has been playing for South Africa for a long time, is very experienced and the good thing is that he plays spin well.”
Next up was Kings Xi Punjab’s Glenn Maxwell who is making a comeback in the IPL this season. Aakash feels this IPL could be Maxwell’s best IPL since his T20 record in the last 18 months has been magnificent. Which is why we could well see Maxwell replicate his 2014 success this year.
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“Next is Glenn Maxwell. I feel this could be Maxwell’s best IPL. This is because if you see his record for the last 12-18 months. The temperament with which he is playing and the responsibility he is showing, we have never seen him play like that.” Aakash Chopra said.
Aakash has always had a special admiration for Aussie Steve Smith, in the past we’ve seen him praise the Royals skipper on numerous occasions. Which is why he’s again picked Steve Smith as the batsmen to watch out from Rajasthan as Smith is a terrific player of spin. With Rahane not present in the Royals setup anymore, he feels Smith is the lone best player of spin they have in their camp.
“Then we have Steve Smith. He plays spin very well. With Ajinkya Rahane not being there and Jos Buttler and Ben Stokes not that good against spin, if Steve Smith does well, Rajasthan Royals would also do well.”
The fourth overseas batsmen Aakash is looking forward to watching is England’s World Cup-winning skipper Eoin Morgan. He likes the value Morgan brings to the KKR side with his dynamic batting. Since Morgan is a complete package player with no captaincy responsibility on his shoulders he expects the Irishman to strike big this season for KKR.
At last, his last pick was Sunrisers Hyderabad skipper David Warner, mainly due to the reason that Warner has been a successful campaigner for the Hyderabad franchise since a very long time. On top of that, he’s won the orange cap more than anyone in IPL history. This special distinct record makes David Warner the last and final overseas player to watch out for.
“Last but not least, I am going with David Warner. His performances in the IPL are generally very good. He also plays spin very well and he is a hungry lion. He also has additional responsibility as a captain and he has a point to prove always,” Aakash concluded.