KKR vs MI: 'Sunil Narine will have difficulties against Mumbai Indians because..." - Aakash Chopra's bold remark
Published - 11 May 2024, 05:46 PM | Updated - 23 Aug 2024, 01:11 AM
Aakash Chopra picked Sunil Narine as a player to watch out for in the Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) lineup for the upcoming match against the Mumbai Indians (MI) in the ongoing Indian Premier League (IPL) 2024 season. Aakash Chopra stated that Sunil Narine would play a significant role for KKR against MI.
The Shreyas Iyer-led team will face the Mumbai Indians at the Eden Gardens in Kolkata on Saturday, May 11. The Kolkata team is currently at the top of the points table with eight wins in 11 matches. In contrast, the Hardik Pandya-led team is in second-bottom place with just eight points in 12 games.
The KKR team secured a 24-run victory when they last faced Mumbai in the ongoing tournament. Sunil Narine failed to make an impact with the bat as he was dismissed for eight runs off eight balls. However, the spinner picked up three wickets for just 22 runs in a thrilling encounter in Mumbai on May 3.
Sunil Narine Will Be My First Player - Aakash Chopra
In a video shared on his YouTube channel, Aakash Chopra predicted that Sunil Narine might face challenges with the bat against Mumbai's bowling attack. However, Chopra stated that Narine could pose a significant threat to Mumbai with his bowling.
"Both openers - one is an all-rounder and the other is explosive. I want to go towards both of them once again. So let's start with Sunil Narine. He has been absolutely brilliant. He didn't fire with the bat last time (against MI) and now also I feel he will have some difficulties because they will bowl full and bouncers," Chopra said.
"They will try to trouble him a little. Mumbai will come with planning. Their bowling has not been very good thus far but there is a possibility that they might trap Narine. However, they surrender against Narine's bowling. So I feel Narine will have a contribution there. So Sunil Narine will be my first player to watch out for," he added.
Narine is in eighth place in the leading wicket-taker list in IPL 2024. He has taken 14 wickets in 11 matches with an impressive economy rate of 6.61. Additionally, he has scored 461 runs at a remarkable strike rate of 183.66 in 11 innings this season. He currently holds sixth place in the Orange Cap list.
His Numbers At This Ground Are Incredible - Aakash Chopra
Aakash Chopra picked Phil Salt as the second player to watch from the Kolkata Knight Riders at the Eden Gardens. Chopra highlighted Salt's attacking opening style and his remarkable performance record at the venue.
"After that, Phil Salt is once again an attacking opener and his numbers at this ground are incredible. He likes this pitch a lot. The ball comes nicely onto the bat. I would definitely say one thing - keep a fielder at point if you want to bowl full because catches are dropped there and he gets out as well," Chopra further stated.
Phil Salt has amassed 429 runs in 11 innings at an average of 42.90 and a strike rate of 183.33. The wicketkeeper-batter has scored 344 runs at an average of 68.80 and a strike rate of 186.96 at the Eden Gardens. Notably, he has smashed all of his four half-centuries at this venue in the IPL 2024.
