IPL 2021: Aakash Chopra Picks His Favorite Bowler To Win The Purple Cap

Ahead of the upcoming 14th season of the Indian Premier League [IPL], former Indian opener Aakash Chopra has picked Afghanistan leg-spin sensation and one of the spearheads of SunRisers Hyderabad bowling-unit, Rashid Khan, as the prime candidate for winning the coveted purple cap.

The former cricketer-turned commentator, in a video uploaded on his official Facebook page, listed the prime contenders for winning the purple cap in IPL 2021.

Apart from Rashid Khan, Aakash Chopra picked SunRisers Hyderabad’s Bhuvneshwar Kumar and Mumbai Indians spearhead Jasprit Bumrah as someone who could run the Afghan cricketer close.

”I am going with Rashid Khan. His chances of picking the most wickets are bright this season. Amongst the fast bowlers, you could look at Jasprit Bumrah and Bhuvneshwar Kumar,” Aakash Chopra said.

Aakash Chopra also explained the reason behind him picking Rashid Khan as a prime contender for the coveted prize. According to Chopra, the fact that Rashid will play nine of his 14 games on spin-friendly tracks of Chennai and Delhi will be a major advantage for the leg-spinner.

”I am going with Rashid Khan because his first five games are in Chennai. Then he plays four in Delhi. He is playing nine out of 14 games on spin-friendly wickets. He would be feeling that he has won a lottery. Should be getting two to three wickets every game,” he added.

Rashid Khan had a brilliant last year at the IPL where he claimed 20 wickets at a barely believable economy rate of 5.37.

The purple cup, however, was won by Delhi Capitals pacer Kagiso Rabada in IPL 2020, who claimed as many as 30 wickets.

Also Read: IPL 2021: Aakash Chopra Points Out The Most Explosive Opening Pair