"He Might Get Sold For Six To Eight Crores" - Aakash Chopra Feels KKR Might Target This Sri Lankan Star

Former Indian cricketer Aakash Chopra suggested that the Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) might target Sri Lanka pacer Dilshan Madushanka in the IPL 2024 mini-auction. Aakash Chopra highlighted the limited seam-bowling options in the Kolkata Knight Riders squad.

The 2014 IPL champions head into the upcoming auction with ₹32.70 crore in their purse. The franchise can sign up to 12 players, including four international players. They released notable pacers like Lockie Ferguson, Shardul Thakur, Tim Southee, and Umesh Yadav.

Dilshan Madushanka Might Actually Have A Field Day – Aakash Chopra

On the ‘AakashVani’ show on JioCinema, Aakash Chopra predicted that KKR might outbid other franchises for Dilshan Madushanka, estimating a potential auction price of six to eight crores.

“They have not given themselves too many options. They have two Indian fast bowlers in the form of Harshit Rana and Vaibhav Arora but they won’t be able to do the job alone. Andre Russell’s bowling ability remains a huge doubt in any case,” Chopra said.

“I feel they will go shopping for fast bowlers. Very few franchises will be able to outbid them because they have a lot of money. If I know Gautam Gambhir well, his sights will be set on Madushanka. So Madushanka might actually have a field day. He might get sold for six to eight crores,” he added.

Josh Hazlewood Is A Fantastic Option – Aakash Chopra

The cricketer-turned-commentator suggested that the Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) might consider Gerald Coetzee and Josh Hazlewood as potential overseas seamers. Chopra mentioned that KKR might pick Harshal Patel if the pitch favors slower bowlers.

“They might not go towards Mitchell Starc but they can go towards Gerald Coetzee because they are looking for an out-and-out fast bowler who is a wicket-taker. Josh Hazlewood after getting released has put his name again in the auction. It depends on his availability, or else Josh Hazlewood is a fantastic option,” Chopra further stated.

“Their focus will be on wicket-takers. I won’t be surprised, if it’s going to be a slow pitch, then Harshal Patel. They might be interested in him because RCB have left him. They and RCB keep trading in any case. The bowlers move from one to another. They have done that too many times,” he concluded.

Also read: “Who Will Bowl At The Death” – Aakash Chopra Highlights India’s Concerns Ahead Of T20 World Cup 2024