IPL 2020: Aakash Chopra picks the MVP for each of the eight teams

The 2020 Indian Premier League (IPL) is set to get underway on September 19 in the United Arab Emirates (UAE). Going into the T20 tournament, former Indian cricketer Aakash Chopra has been making a lot of analysis on his official YouTube channel. Recently, the retired batsman tried to pick the Most Valuable Player (MVP) from each of the eight franchises.

He started with the Mumbai Indians and had quite a few options, including Kieron Pollard, Rohit Sharma, Jasprit Bumrah among others. However, he zeroed in on Hardik Pandya, who can make an impact with both bat and ball. In the Chennai Super Kings (CSK), Chopra went for Ravindra Jadeja. The left-arm spinner is expected to get help from the wickets in the UAE.

Andre Russell- MVP of IPL 2019

He also plays handy knocks lower down the order. From the Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB), Chopra went for Virat Kohli, the all-time leading run-scorer in the history of the IPL. Chopra also vouched for the RCB skipper to score over 600 runs this season. In the Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH), Chopra’s pick was Rashid Khan, who’s playing for them since the 2017 edition.

He picked Rashid ahead of the likes of Jonny Bairstow, David Warner and Mohammad Nabi. Chopra picked Andre Russell as the MVP from the Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR). Russell was the MVP for IPL 2019 after ending as KKR’s leading run-scorer and highest wicket-taker as well. Shreyas Iyer was Chopra’s choices from the Delhi Capitals, who went to the Qualifier 2 last season.

Apart from playing handy knocks, Iyer has also led his team from the front. From Kings XI Punjab (KXIP), Aakash picked up KL Rahul. The Karnataka batter has been the linchpin of their batting unit since 2018 and also has a century against the Mumbai Indians in 2019 at the Wankhede Stadium. From Rajasthan Royals, Chopra went for Jos Buttler’s who’s in the form of his life.

Here’s Aakash Chopra’s MVPs: –

Mumbai Indians- Hardik Pandya

Chennai Super Kings– Ravindra Jadeja

Royal Challengers Bangalore– Virat Kohli

Sunrisers Hyderabad– Rashid Khan

Kolkata Knight Riders– Andre Russell

Delhi Capitals– Shreyas Iyer

Kings XI Punjab– KL Rahul

Kings XI Punjab– Jos Buttler