Aakash Chopra picks his top 3 perfomers ahead of LSG vs GT clash

In the upcoming IPL 2024 clash between Lucknow Super Giants (LSG) and Gujarat Titans (GT), cricket expert Aakash Chopra has highlighted three players to watch out for, with Mayank Yadav taking the top spot. Yadav has been in exceptional form, earning the ‘Player of the Match’ award in LSG’s previous two games against Punjab Kings (PBKS) and Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) respectively.

Chopra compared the excitement surrounding Yadav’s emergence to that of Jasprit Bumrah‘s early days. He praised Yadav’s impressive performances, noting that he has consistently broken his speed record in consecutive matches, reaching speeds of 155.8 and 156.7 kmph. Chopra speculated whether Yadav could surpass the 157 kmph mark in the upcoming game.

Chopra also highlighted the favorable conditions for Yadav in Lucknow, with the red-soil pitch and the large ground likely to suit his style of bowling. He praised LSG’s captain Nicholas Pooran and vice-captain KL Rahul for using Yadav effectively in the right phases of the game.

Shubman Gill was identified by Chopra as the player to watch from the Gujarat Titans. Gill, coming off an unbeaten 89 in the previous game, will be crucial in negotiating Yadav’s pace and skill.

Aakash Chopra said

“The No. 1 player I am picking is Rajdhani Express – Mayank ‘pacy’ Yadav. It will once again be worth watching how he bowls. When did you have that kind of excitement after seeing any bowler? I will tell you when I had it – when we started watching Jasprit Bumrah. It was extremely enjoyable to watch him bowl,” he said.

“Then there were flashes with Umran Malik. Now Mayank Yadav has played two matches, been Player of the Match in both, picked up three wickets both times, and has broken his speed record in two consecutive matches – 155.8 and 156.7. Could it be 157-point-something this time?” the former India opener added.

Chopra claimed that the red-soil pitch and the huge ground in Lucknow will suit Yadav. He also observed that the express pacer has been used in the correct phases in the last two games by Nicholas Pooran and KL Rahul respectively.

“When I focus towards the second player, I see Shubman Gill, because if Mayank Yadav is on one side, who should negotiate him? Kane Williamson will also be there but I will go towards Shubman Gill because he played very well in the last match,” he reasoned.

“The third player, who I am seeing as very explosive, is Nicholas Pooran. He gladdens the hearts. I am just wanting him to bat slightly up the order. However, he is batting incredibly well. He is hitting huge sixes. So the focus will be on him as well,” Chopra stated.

The former Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) player reckons the scales are tilted slightly towards the Lucknow Super Giants. He reasoned that the Titans are missing Mohammed Shami a lot and even Hardik Pandya to some extent in the middle order.

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