(AP Photo)
In the upcoming IPL 2024 season, Aakash Chopra has singled out KKR as the frontrunners for clinching the prestigious championship. Yet, he was swift to acknowledge that it wouldn’t be unexpected if SRH managed to emerge victorious in the final showdown.
Aakash Chopra, the ex-Indian cricketer, has tipped KKR as the potential champions of IPL 2024 while also noting that SRH possesses the ability to spring a surprise. KKR enjoys an advantage over SRH, having secured victories in their last two face-offs. Meanwhile, SRH enters the upcoming clash on the heels of a remarkable 36-run triumph against RR in Qualifier 2 at the M Chidambaram Stadium, Chennai, on Friday, May 24th.
Aakash expressed his belief that Hyderabad would pose a formidable challenge to the team led by Shreyas Iyer, who previously claimed their first IPL title in 2012 at Chepauk.
“It’s going to be a good game. I feel this encounter will be extremely enjoyable. Hyderabad will not go down without a fight. Don’t be surprised if they lift the trophy. That is also possible. It is the third final for both teams (fourth for KKR). KKR lifted the trophy at this ground itself in 2012 after beating Chennai,” Aakash said on his YouTube channel.
KKR has made it to the final three times, securing victory twice in 2012 and 2014. On the other hand, SRH has reached the IPL final twice, claiming the title in 2016. Interestingly, this upcoming summit clash marks the first time these two teams will compete against each other for the championship.
Who will emerge as the top scorer today: Abhishek or Head?
Aakash also picked SRH’s emerging star Abhishek Sharma over Travis Head to be the player to watch out for.
“Abhishek Sharma. I am not going towards Travis Head because there is Mitchell Starc in the opposition – left-arm pacer. Although he managed Trent Boult, I am not going with him. I am going with Abhishek Sharma, who is batting well,” Chopra said.
Abhishek and Head have played crucial roles in SRH’s journey to the final. Nevertheless, both faced early dismissals, scoring only single-digit runs in Qualifier 1 against KKR. Abhishek has been impressive, amassing 482 runs in 15 matches with a striking rate of 207.76.
Aakash also expressed confidence in SRH’s pace bowling contingent, highlighting the prowess of Pat Cummins, Bhuvneshwar Kumar, and T Natrajan to deliver against the KKR batting lineup.
“In bowling, Pat Cummins is absolutely a gun. There will be focus on him and then Bhuvneshwar Kumar and T Natarajan. Rahul Tripathi is in good form. It seems like it is extremely high-risk batting, but who cares because he scores runs,” Aakash said.
KKR will face SRH in the summit clash of IPL 2024 at the Chepauk stadium on May 26, Sunday.
