IPL 2020: Aakash Chopra Surprised With Chris Gayle's Slow Show Against CSK

Former India cricketer, Aakash Chopra is a bit surprised by the pace of Chris Gayle’s knock in Kings XI Punjab‘s (KXIP) loss against Chennai Super Kings (CSK). Punjab lost their last league encounter, which was a must-win game to stand a chance to qualify for the playoffs against Chennai on Sunday.

After a good start provided by KL Rahul and Mayank Agarwal, Punjab lost its way in the middle-overs and ended the innings with a par total of 153 which was chased down comfortably by CSK.

Gayle playing slowly put the pressure on KL Rahul: Aakash Chopra

Chris Gayle came in at the fall of Agarwal’s wicket in the sixth over. The Jamaican didn’t look in touch as he struggled for a 19-ball-12 with no boundaries. That put pressure on the no-striker KL Rahul and the Nicholas Pooran, as both perished trying to go for the big shot.

Aakash Chopra in a video uploaded on his YouTube channel opined that Punjab did not get the momentum in their batting after the brisk start given by Agarwal. The cricketer-turned-commentator said that Rahul was slow, but the slowest was the Universe Boss, and that was taken aback a little by the approach used by Gayle.

Aakash Chopra said on his YouTube channel, “Kings XI Punjab did not get the momentum in their batting. Mayank Agarwal, as usual, played at a strike rate of 170. Rahul played a little slow but the slowest of all was Chris Gayle. This was not accounted for that Gayle will play slowly.”

The former opener feels that Gayle’s slow knock increased the pressure on the other end which forced Rahul and Pooran to play a rash shot and both got out, and after that Gayle too got out. The 43-year-old said that Punjab who were high-flying with a five-match winning streak suddenly crash-landed with two losses.

“Gayle playing slowly put the pressure on KL Rahul and he played a bad shot to get out. Pooran got out while playing a shot as well and then Gayle also got out. So the campaign which was seeming to fly, crash-landed suddenly as KXIP lost to RR earlier and couldn’t reach a good total in this contest,”  Aakash Chopra added.

Kings XI Punjab ended the season on the sixth position on the points table. KL Rahul and coach Anil Kumble would be pleased with the character the team showed in the five consecutive victories. Punjab has failed to qualify for the playoffs since 2014.

Also Read: IPL 2020: Aakash Chopra Lavishes Praise On Pat Cummins For Living Up To The Billing