'They might have to compromise an overseas spinner' - Aakash Chopra on Gujarat Titans fielding Rashid Khan, Noor Ahmad together
Gujarat Titans have three Afghanistan players - Rashid Khan, Noor Ahmad, and Azmatullah Omarzai in their squad for IPL 2024.
After narrowly missing out on their second consecutive title last year, Gujarat Titans will look to go the distance in Indian Premer League (IPL) 2024. They will have a new captain, Shubman Gill, at the helm after Hardik Pandya was traded to Mumbai Indians ahead of the IPL 2024 auction.
Last year, left-arm wrist spinner Noor Ahmad made his debut in the IPL and picked up 16 wickets in 13 games at an average of 23.06 and an economy rate of 7.82. He formed a great bowling partnership with compatriot Rashid Khan, who is one of the best spinners in the T20 format.
However, former India opener Aakash Chopra is unsure whether the former champions will be able to fit the two quality spinners into the playing XI together in the absence of an all-rounder like Hardik and a star pacer like Mohammed Shami.
"Gujarat have a 'Karamati' Khan named Rashid Khan. He is absolutely outstanding. His injury would be fine by the time IPL comes. Then they have a bowler named Noor Ahmad. Both of them play in the XI for sure these days," Chopra said in a video on his YouTube channel.
"However, will Shami's absence make a difference? Will they not be able to play two overseas spinners because of Hardik leaving? It is going to be a slight toss-up. They might have to compromise a spinner," the former India opener added.
The cricketer-turned-commentator reckoned that Gujarat might give opportunities to talented Australian pacer Spencer Johnson to fill the big boots of Shami and an overseas middle-order batter could step in to compensate for Hardik. Chopra mentioned that the Titans have two very good domestic spin-bowling options in Jayant Yadav and R Sai Kishore apart from the Afghan duo.
Gujarat Titans' affinity for Afghan players
Gujarat Titans have always had a special fondness for Afghanistan players. They had Rashid Khan, Rahmanullah Gurbaz, and Noor Ahmad in their squad in their maiden appearance in the cash-rich league in 2022. Hardik and Co. went on to lift the title that year. Gurbaz joined Kolkata Knight Riders ahead of IPL 2023, while Rashid and Noor stayed with the Titans. This year, in the auction, the Gujarat-based franchise roped in talented all-rounder Azmatullah Omarzai for INR 50 lakh.
The Titans will begin their campaign in IPL 2024 with a clash against five-time champions Mumbai Indians on Sunday, March 24, at the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad.
Also Read: 'What else is he playing?' - Aakash Chopra highlights high stakes for Ishan Kishan ahead of IPL 2024
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