IND vs WI: Aakash Chopra Names West Indies Player That IPL Franchises Should Pay Attention In ODI Series

Cricketer-turned-commentator Aakash Chopra listed some West Indies players who need to perform exceptionally in the three-match ODI series against India to fetch better deals in the IPL auction 2022.

India and West Indies kick-start their white-ball series with the first ODI on Sunday at the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad.

Aakash Chopra expects Shai Hope, Nicholas Pooran to make headlines in IPL 2022 auction

The ODI series will conclude on February 11, just a day before the action-packed IPL 2022 auction takes place in Bengaluru.

Chopra pointed out that the likes of Shai Hope and Nicholas Pooran should perform their best to push their case in the auction.

Hope is yet to play a game in the lucrative T20 league but West Indies wicketkeeper-batter Pooran was part of Punjab Kings in the last three seasons. He had an abysmal season last year as he could just manage 85 runs from 12 innings.

“If you think from West Indies’ viewpoint, you are playing three ODIs a week before the auction. I know a different format but it is a huge opportunity. There is a lot of recency bias,” Chopra said on his YouTube channel.

“Shai Hope – who doesn’t get IPL contracts, but here if he scores two hundreds in three matches as he did earlier, his name will also come in the headlines. Nicholas Pooran – who last year was very ordinary, if he plays well, his name will also come. He will also play with the utmost effort,” he added.

Romario Shepherd is a player you should pay attention to: Aakash Chopra

Chopra also singled out West Indies bowling all-rounder Romario Shepherd, who was the second-highest wicket-taker in CPL 2021.

Shepherd scalped 18 wickets from nine games for Guyana Amazon Warriors and returned 109 runs with the bat at the strike rate of 165.15.

“Romario Shepherd is a player you should pay attention to, he is creating some ripples and waves. Akeal Hosein, if he plays, else Hayden Walsh Jr. and Fabien Allen – they have three spin-bowling option,” Chopra said.

The IPL 2022 mega auction will take place on February 12 & 13 in Bengaluru, a total of 590 (370 Indian & 220 overseas) players will go under the hammer.

Also Read: IND vs WI: “Honour For Me To Lead The Team”- Rohit Sharma Ahead Of India’s 1000th ODI