KKR vs SRH: Shreyas Iyer kicked aside as Aakash Chopra names best IPL 2024 captain

Former India batter Aakash Chopra heaped a lot of praise on Sunrisers Hyderabad captain Pat Cummins and called him the best captain in IPL 2024. 

Pat Cummins, who was bought for 20.75 crores in the auction, has done wonders for the Hyderabad team which had finished outside of the top 4 since 2021. Across the last two seasons, SRH had finished 8th and 10th but in this edition, their fortunes have turned around, thanks to the presence of the World Cup-winning captain. 

What did Aakash Chopra say about Pat Cummins?   

While speaking on his latest YouTube video, Aakash Chopra admitted that it is quite difficult for him to look beyond Pat Cummins as to who was the best captain this year. Chopra had his own reasons for it as well. 

The 38-year-old felt that Pat Cummins was exceptional in managing the Sunrisers' weak bowling resources. Chopra also appreciated Cummins for always holding the team together despite some tough circumstances in the season where they have conceded plenty of runs. But the way he marshaled things for the Orange Army was just exceptional, according to the former KKR batter. 

"It is difficult for me to go beyond Pat Cummins. I put my hand up and say that I wasn't convinced. I am saying he is the best captain because the bowling resources weren't that good. This team has conceded runs. However, the way he has marshaled his resources and the calmness with which he has spoken," Aakash Chopra said in his latest YT video. 

Aakash Chopra then spoke at length about the genuine personality that Pat Cummins carries with him. The former opening batsman recognized that Cummins is someone who doesn't say things just for the sake of saying as he does a lot of thinking before uttering even a single word from his mouth.

"There are a few examples. He reached the Chinnaswamy ground and he was asked how many runs. He said 300 and SRH made 287 that night. So they came so close. Then in yesterday's post-match presentation, Harsha (Bhogle) told him about the rain in Guwahati. He said - 'That's too bad'. He is genuine and is saying what he is thinking," Aakash Chopra concluded. 

When will SRH play against KKR in the 1st Qualifier match?

Pat Cummins' Sunrisers Hyderabad will get to their task in hand against the Kolkata Knight Riders tomorrow in the 1st Qualifying match in Ahmedabad. While SRH will arrive in the match after winning their last IPL 2024 league match against Punjab, Kolkata haven't played a single game since the 11th of May.

The momentum that KKR were carrying might break due to the break they had and it remains to be seen if SRH are able to make full use of it.