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Former Indian cricketer Aakash Chopra has picked five Japan players who could make an impact against India in the one-off T20I. The historic T20I match will be played on Tuesday, September 22, at the Sano International Cricket Ground, Sano, in Japan.
The game will be a special one as India and Japan will meet for the first time in senior men’s international cricket. Chopra believes that Japan has a few players who can trouble India and has named five cricketers to watch closely in the historic clash on Tuesday. Amid this, Ajit Agarkar, VVS Laxman had differences over CoE functioning, nearly clashed in BCCI meeting.
Aakash Chopra names Japan captain Kendel Kadowaki-Fleming as India’s key threat
Japan captain Kendel Kadowaki-Fleming is the biggest name on Aakash Chopra’s list. The left-handed batter, who can also bowl right-arm off-spin, has scored 1,879 runs in 56 T20Is at an average of 37.58 and a strike rate of 137.85. His record includes 12 fifties and two centuries, with a highest score of 114. He usually bats in the top three.
Chopra also picked Declan Suzuki-McComb, a left-handed batter and right-arm medium pacer. He has played 55 matches, where he scored 435 runs and took 35 wickets. His big-hitting ability makes him a player to watch lower down the order against the Men in Blue.
Aakash Chopra warns India about Declan Suzuki-McComb
Aakash Chopra said on his YouTube channel, "Kendel Kadowaki-Fleming is a left-handed batter who also bowls right-arm off-spin. He is a decent batter and is known for his hitting skills. He usually bats at No. 3 or somewhere in the top three, so keep an eye on this player.
He could cause a few problems for the opposition. The second player is Declan Suzuki-McComb. He is a left-handed batter and a right-arm medium-pace bowler. He is known for his big-hitting ability and is a good batter. He usually bats lower down the order.”
Charlie Hara-Hinze and Makoto Taniyama could trouble India
Chopra also named the left-arm spinner Charlie Hara-Hinze as a player to watch out against India. Charlie has so far taken 47 wickets in 38 T20Is at an excellent economy rate of 4.97 with the best figures of 5/6. Another leg-spinner, Makoto Taniyama, also made the cut.
Taniyama has 43 wickets in 41 matches at an economy rate of around 5.30 to his name. The fifth and final player picked by the cricket pandit is the opening batter, Lachlan Yamamoto-Lake, who has scored 837 runs in 43 innings, including one century and two fifties. Amid this, India denied practice in Japan before historic T20I.
Lachlan Yamamoto-Lake makes Aakash Chopra’s five
Chopra further said, “Charlie Hara-Hinze is another left-handed batter who bowls slow left-arm orthodox spin. He has an excellent economy rate of just 4.97 in T20Is. He has done very well in 38 T20Is and is capable of bowling incredibly well in different conditions. With his left-arm spin, he will look to trap the batters.”
The commentator added, “Makoto Taniyama also has a good economy rate of around 5.30. You can expect to see some leg-spin bowling from Taniyama. Last but not least, Lachlan Yamamoto-Lake is Japan's second-best batter after their captain, Kadowaki-Fleming. He usually plays as an opener. These are the five Japanese players you need to keep an eye on.”
Kadowaki-Fleming is Japan’s leading T20I run-scorer, while Sabaorish Ravichandran is their leading wicket-taker with 63 wickets in 53 matches. Ravichandran has an impressive bowling average of 11.76 and economy rate of 4.84, with the best figures of 5/11.
