IPL 2020: Aakash Chopra picks his top 6 batsmen; also predicts the Orange Cap winner

The much-awaited T20 extravaganza, after many delays, is finally going to commence from September 19th amid coronavirus pandemic. Considering the current COVID-19 situation in the country, the BCCI was left with no other option but to shift this year’s IPL to the UAE.

Ahead of the competition, experts have already started dishing out their predictions along with picking out their favourite players. Cricketer-turned-commentator Aakash Chopra also joined the trend and selected six Indian batsmen who are likely to have a great IPL 2020.

Chopra, on his official YouTube channel, started off by choosing Delhi Capitals’ Rishabh Pant. Chopra opined that the young wicketkeeper-batsman should be promoted up the order to utilize his potential. In the past few months, Pant has been scrutinized a lot for his inconsistent display with the bat for India.

“At No.6, I am keeping Rishabh Pant. I feel this year will be good for Pant and it will also be important for him. He plays well against spin and will play a couple of innings that we will not be able to forget. And I hope that Delhi sends him a little up the order,” said Chopra.

At the fifth position, Chopra picked Mumbai Indians’ skipper Rohit Sharma, followed by Delhi Capitals’ captain Shreyas Iyer. Both Rohit and Shreyas have been delivering impressive performances for the national side in recent times.

“At No.5, I am going with Rohit Sharma. He will surely score runs, but I am not 100% certain if he will be at the top of the highest run-scorers list. I like him as a player, but you keep waiting for a season when he scores 600-700 runs for Mumbai Indians.

“At No.4, I am going with Shreyas Iyer. I feel his season will be good. What goes is in favour is that he is fit, young and has a lot of hunger for runs. He was in the red-hot form before the lockdown and has assumed responsibility since he has been made the captain and his game has improved. He plays very well against spin and has some shots down the ground that make you go wow,” added Chopra.

I feel MS Dhoni will have a good IPL: Aakash Chopra

For the No.3 and No.2 spots, Chopra picked MS Dhoni and Virat Kohli. Chopra believes Dhoni will play more freely in IPL 2020 after his departure from international cricket. Chopra also heaped praise on Kohli and said that the RCB skipper cannot be kept away from runs or cricket.

“At No.3, I have got MS Dhoni. I feel he will have a good IPL. Because he has not played for 12-14 months and retired from international cricket as well and he will have only one target, to help CSK win. At No.2, I have got the run-machine Kohli. He is a player you cannot keep away from runs or cricket,” expressed Chopra.

For the top spot in his list, Chopra’s choice was a bit unpredictable. He selected Kings XI Punjab skipper KL Rahul and said that the Karnataka lad would finish the tournament with the Orange Cap.

“At No.1, I am going with KL Rahul. The kind of form that he has been in with the added responsibility that he is now the KXIP captain and with the type of mindset he has at the moment, I think he is going to rock it. I am expecting that he will be the top run-getter amongst the Indians in the tournament and could end up with the Orange Cap,” concluded Chopra.

Here’s the video: