Aakash Chopra Names 5 Youngsters To Watch Out For In 2020 IPL

Former Indian opener Aakash Chopra picked five domestic youngsters to watch out for in the upcoming IPL season. The IPL has always been a massive platform for aspiring Indian players to showcase and express themselves fearlessly and the 13th edition would not be any different. Hence, Aakash Chopra has named five such men, who will remain under the spotlight.

Also Read: Aakash Chopra Picks His All-Time Rajasthan Royals XI

Aakash Chopra began with left-handed opening batsman Yashasvi Jaiswal, who went to Rajashtan Royals for INR 2.4 crores. Chopra stayed confident about the 18-year old garnering plenty of fame and backed him to live up to the hype.

As a swashbuckling batsman, Aakash states that he will take the attack to the opposition from the word-go while Jaiswal’s temperament and confidence are his added traits.

“I am starting with Rajasthan Royals’ Yashasvi Jaiswal. And this player is going to garner a lot of fame, there is 100% guarantee about that. I feel Rajasthan Royals will make him open and he will never disappoint you. Left-handed swashbuckling opening batsman, he will take the attack to the opposition. And considering his confidence and temperament, he is a long-term prospect,” Aakash stated in his Youtube channel.

The 42-year old moved on to name leggie Ravi Bishnoi, who will have the backing of head coach Anil Kumble in Kings XI Punjab. Aakash expressed confidence that under the mentorship of Kumble, Bishnoi will do wonders and stated that he has a lethal googly. Aakash added that he does not bowl a loose delivery and will play on big grounds, which will aid spinners.

“At No.2, is his under-19 teammate who will be playing for Kings XI Punjab. Ravi Bishnoi will be playing under Anil Kumble’s tutelage and I feel he will do wonders.

“He bowls with a flatter trajectory and has a very good googly. Temperament is outstanding because he doesn’t bowl a loose delivery. He is going to really fire and shine because he will be playing in the huge grounds that will also assist spin,” Chopra said.

Aakash Chopra proceeded to name his third pick as Virat Singh, who the Sunrisers Hyderabad picked to have potent middle-order players. The former Indian opener stated that Virat Singh remains a bright prospect, who does not let the bowler rest and bats explosively. The southpaw averages 35.27 in 56 T20s, striking at 124.45.

“The third player I am going for is Virat Singh, who is there with Laxman bhai in Sunrisers Hyderabad. He comes from Jharkand and takes the attack to the bowlers. SRH needs a batsman who comes down the order and bats explosively and this is that guy. He has been outstanding for his teams in white-ball cricket so far,” the Agra-born asserted.

Aakash Chopra’s last two names for the 13th edition of IPL:

Rajasthan Royals’ all-rounder Riyan Pirag is the fourth on the cricketer-turned-commentator’s list, who fared well beyond expectations even last season. Aakash Chopra highlighted that Parag was part of Shubman Gill’s team when they lifted the U-19 World Cup. The 42-year-old said that the 18-year-old bowls plenty of carrom balls and strikes the ball fearlessly even under pressure. Parag scored 160 runs in seven games at 126.98.

“At No.4, I am keeping Riyan Parag. This player is also very good. He plays with a lot of confidence and many people don’t know that he was a member of a World Cup-winning team.

“He was part of the team when Pritvi Shaw and Shubman Gill’s team won although his batting did not come. He bowls a little differently, with a lot of carrom balls. And this player is not scared while batting, he plays without any pressure,” the commentator claimed.

Without naming Shivam Mavi and Kamlesh Nagarkotti as the final name, the 42-year old instead picked Devdutt Padikall, who plays for Royal Challengers Bangalore. While he realizes that Bangalore has openers like Aaron Finch, Parthiv Patel, and Virat Kohli, who also bats in the top-order. However, Aakash Chopra entirely backs Padikall to make an impact if given an opportunity.

“At No.5, I am slightly split. I was thinking Shivam Mavi and Kamlesh Nagarkoti but I will give you a name whom you may not have heard of, Devdutt Padikkal. He is part of Royal Challengers Bangalore and I want him to play.

“He is a left-handed opening batsman, although RCB has openers in Parthiv, Finch and captain Kohli also opens. But I feel if Devdutt Padikkal is given a chance, he will make the full use of it,” he added further.

Also Read: Aakash Chopra Picks His Top-6 Spinners To Watch Out For In IPL 2020