IPL 2020: Aakash Chopra Predicts The Winner Between Royal Challengers Bangalore And SunRisers Hyderabad

Former Indian opening batsman Aakash Chopra has opened up on the likely winners between Royal Challengers Bangalore and SunRisers Hyderabad. Both teams will open their IPL 2020 campaign in Dubai on Monday and hope to open their account early. As per Aakash Chopra, Virat Kohli’s men will prevail over David Warner’s warriors in a mouth-watering clash.

Royal Challengers Bangalore and SunRisers Hyderabad have faced each other in 14 matches so far with the latter winning eight of them. It also includes the final four years ago where SunRisers emerged triumphant over their opponents. Owing to the exploits of David Warner, Yuvraj Singh, and Ben Cutting, the Orange Army sealed their first title by eight runs.

Aakash Chopra stated that Hyderabad’s recent history flags that they are an excellent side and qualify for playoffs. On the other hand, RCB languish at the bottom of the table; however, Aakash feels things could change this time around. He justified the claim by pointing out that SunRisers’ bowling, which was their strength is no longer so.

“Sunrisers Hyderabad’s history tells us that they are a very good team and that they always qualify, while RCB’s recent history tells us that they remain right at the bottom. But I feel things are about to change. Because I don’t think Sunrisers Hyderabad has become stronger than what they were and probably have become a little weaker. The bowling which used to be their strength, is no longer their strength,” Aakash told in his Youtube channel.

At the same time, Aakash Chopra backed the SunRisers’ bowling to shine since the pitch has grass and will assist fast bowlers. The same will help their experienced bowling camp.

“They are not the same bowling unit although the pitch they will get in this match has grass and has help for the fast bowlers. That will actually assist the experience in the Sunrisers Hyderabad camp,” the 42-year old mentioned.

Aakash Chopra underlines the strategies for the two teams to follow:

The 42-year old believes that Hyderabad should play Kane Williamson instead of Mohammad Nabi since the Kiwi captain will lend stability to the middle-order. He advised them to keep three overseas batsmen and labelled their middle-order as a middle disorder. Hence, Chopra believes Williamson is required.

“The gameplan for Sunrisers Hyderabad will be to play Kane Williamson. Considering the pitch, I feel you can play him instead of Nabi. They should play three overseas batsmen because they do not have a middle-order. Their middle-order is actually a middle disorder. So to save that they should play Kane Williamson,” Chopra claimed.

The cricketer-turned-commentator called for the three-time finalists to keep Aaron Finch as an opener and play Shivam Dube since his medium pace will suit the pitch, which has grass.

“RCB should open with Finch and play a lot of pace bowling. They should also get Shivam Dube to bowl because I feel there is a lot of help for fast bowlers on this pitch,” he added further.