Speaking on Kuhl Fans Match Centre Live on JioHotstar, JioStar expert Aakash Chopra shared his thoughts on RCB’s dramatic performance and their growing chances of making it to the play-offs:
“It has never happened that ever since we’ve got the 14-match league, there are teams with 16 points that did not make it to the play-offs. At this point in time, of course, five teams can finish on 18, but 16 should be enough in the end. They’re now eyeing the one and two spot and not really the qualification. The ‘Q’ is not in front of the name yet, but I feel it is already there. More importantly, you thought this was a game where you’d win easily, and then you lose Phil Salt and Josh Hazlewood. But you say, ‘No problem, sir.’ If there’s no Phil Salt, I’ve got Jacob Bethell. If I don’t have Josh Hazlewood, I’ll have Lungi Ngidi, who will do the same job—maybe even better. And then Yash Dayal holds his nerves in the end. Suyash bowls that sixth over, Ngidi takes two wickets, is on a hat-trick, and gives only eight runs in that over. This is when you start believing that, you know, the stars are aligning for me.
JioStar expert Ambati Rayudu shared his opinion about the RCB vs CSK game:
“I think RCB have played fantastically well, and CSK also played a very good game of cricket. In my opinion, this is the best cricket they have played in the entire season. It’s slightly unfortunate that they lost this game, but RCB were definitely ahead, especially while batting. That finish towards the end, and also the final over delivered by Yash Dayal, was phenomenal. That’s the kind of belief you want in your dugout when you’re aiming to win a championship, to win the IPL. And it feels all the better, and gives you a lot of confidence, especially when you achieve it against your arch-rivals.”
Aakash Chopra on Virat Kohli’s consistency:
“You just have to keep praising because that’s what this man does season after season after season. The fact is that he’s not actually competing with anybody else. When you reach this stage of your career, you’re just trying to outdo yourself and add more arrows to your quiver. You want to keep uplifting your game because what other way is there to motivate yourself? Unless you’re so passionate to be a little better every day, that’s where you keep breaking records. Eventually, it’s all about the ball hitting the bat—the joy that you get while hitting the pull, the drive, dominating the bowling attack. Contributing to the team’s win—that’s the only thing that you play for. Inner happiness is the yardstick for him. There’s no other joy better than being at the top of your game and helping your team win.”
Rayudu spoke about Ayush Mhatre’s innings and his future with CSK:
“He’s the bright spot—he and Brevis. They have really shown what they can do. Especially him, it was exceptional because he has not overhit the ball. He has hit a few sixes, and a lot of boundaries. He has shown timing, power, and finesse. He has shown the maturity and the temperament that is required to excel at this level. I think he’s an excellent find for CSK. And they’ll be very, very happy with the way they have played tonight. That is something which will give them a lot of confidence going into next year. If you look at it, he has scored all around the ground. But looking at CSK’s future, I think he is the one. And if they build a good, solid batting unit around him and Ruturaj Gaikwad and Dewald Brevis, they are well set for next year.”
Aakash spoke about Ayush Mhatre being a wild card entry in CSK’s side:
“TATA IPL, I feel, is the biggest reality show on the planet. And in all reality shows, there is a wild card entry. Ayush is that wild card. He came here because Ruturaj Gaikwad got injured. Shaik Rasheed was their original choice. Ayush Mhatre has been around but was not picked. And then he gets a wild card entry and went wild.”
Aakash Chopra expressed his views on Ravindra Jadeja’s innings:
“Yes, the first half of his innings was brilliant. But what do you expect from Jadeja is the big question. From my standpoint, I’ve got somebody who I’ve retained for 18 crores. He’s been with us for the longest period—250 games. Now, when you’ve got that start, you lose your partner who scored 94 and has been dismissed- you need to take the team home. Don’t expect Dhoni to do it. If Dhoni does it—great. If Shivam Dube does it—very well done. But the fact is, you are the guy on that night. You’ve been promoted to bat at four, you’ve got the start, and there is no excuse from there on. If there are full tosses, they should be deposited. In the end, the buck stops with Ravindra Jadeja in this run chase. If he couldn’t do it, it’s a bit much to ask from Dube who’s played three balls or Dhoni who’s played seven balls.”
