"Devdutt Padikkal is in great form but..." - Aakash Chopra expresses uncertainty over opener's success in IPL 2024

Aakash Chopra expressed uncertainty regarding Devdutt Padikkal’s success as an opener for the Lucknow Super Giants in the IPL 2024. Aakash Chopra highlighted the possibility of Quinton de Kock or Kyle Mayers partnering with Devdutt Padikkal in this year’s tournament.

The Lucknow Super Giants’ skipper, KL Rahul, is anticipated to bat in the middle order in the upcoming season. The Lucknow-based franchise acquired Devdutt Padikkal from the Rajasthan Royals in a trade, releasing young pacer Avesh Khan to the Jaipur-based franchise.

Devdutt Padikkal Is In Great Form – Aakash Chopra

In a video shared on his YouTube channel, Aakash Chopra discussed potential opening pairs for the Lucknow team in IPL 2024. Chopra mentioned Devdutt Padikkal’s inclusion in KL Rahul’s absence but expressed uncertainty about his performance.

“When I go towards Lucknow, I would have said they have a very stable opening pair if KL Rahul had been opening because you definitely expect 500 runs from there. However, since he will not open now, we really don’t know. Quinton de Kock/Kyle Mayers because they had a lot of interest in playing Mayers last year,” Chopra said.

“If De Kock doesn’t open, Mayers is hit and miss and Devdutt Padikkal, who is a new player at this slot after a while, will be alongside him. He is in great form but we really don’t know in which direction that would go,” he added.

Devdutt Padikkal began his IPL career as an opener for the Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB). However, the left-handed batter didn’t open the innings for the Rajasthan Royals as Yashasvi Jaiswal and Jos Buttler batted at the top order in the cash-rich league.

The Karnataka-born cricketer scored 261 runs in 11 innings at an average of 26.10 and a strike rate of 130.50 during the last season. Overall, the southpaw has scored 1521 runs in 57 IPL matches at an average of 27.65 and a strike rate of 125.39, with a best score of 101.

Could Be Iyer With Either Gurbaz Or Jason Roy – Aakash Chopra

The former Indian opener anticipates Venkatesh Iyer partnering either Rahmanullah Gurbaz or Jason Roy as openers for the Kolkata Knight Riders.

“Are KKR ready? It could be Iyer with either Gurbaz or Jason Roy. It’s a very decent pair. Can this be very consistent – I can’t say. Can they be the most explosive – might or might not be. We don’t know what sort of pitches Kolkata will prepare,” Chopra added.

Pat Cummins Might Be The Captain – Aakash Chopra

“In Hyderabad, you will find a problem that whom should you open with. Abhishek Sharma was doing well last year and Mayank Agarwal played well just before leaving last year. We don’t know if they will get them to open this year. Travis Head might open as Pat Cummins might be the captain,” Chopra concluded.

Both Mayank Agarwal and Abhishek Sharma faced challenges in their performances for SunRisers Hyderabad last season. Agarwal scored 270 runs in 10 innings with an average of 27.00, while Sharma managed 226 runs in 11 matches with an average of 20.55.

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