IPL 2021: Aakash Chopra makes his predictions for the CSKvsKKR and RCBvsMI match

Former Indian cricketer Aakash Chopra has put forth his predictions for Sunday’s doubleheader in the 2021 edition of the Indian Premier League. Chopra started making his opinions with the day’s second game to be played between Virat Kohli’s Royal Challengers Bangalore and defending champions Mumbai Indians at the Dubai International Cricket Stadium.

Chopra reckoned that not too many wickets will go down in the powerplay, combining the innings of both teams. Both teams have lost their games in the UAE leg of the T20 championship, and as per Chopra’s words, their batters might be a tad circumspect to start their innings.

Aakash Chopra shares his views

“Less than two wickets in the powerplay,” Chopra was quoted as saying on his official YouTube channel.

Chopra believed that one of the four openers from both teams would go on to get a half-century and he backed Rohit Sharma as the front-runner to do so. “One of the four openers to score 50 plus. I have a feeling Rohit is going to be that man,” he stated.

Chopra also said that Jasprit Bumrah will be the most economical bowler for MI in the game at Dubai. “Bumrah will be the most economical bowler for Mumbai,” Chopra said.

Last, but not the least, Chopra predicted MI to come out trumps in the second of Sunday’s doubleheader. “Mumbai to win the match,” he added. The last time MI and RCB met in the tournament opener back in April, the Challengers came out trumps.

For Sunday’s first game, Chopra didn’t make analytical predictions, but he backed the Knights to come out trumps. “Kolkata to win the match,” Chopra said. KKR are on a roll in the UAE leg, having won against the Challengers and MI by comprehensive margins.

The last time when KKR and CSK met at the Sheikh Zayed Stadium in Abu Dhabi, the Knights won with relative ease. The Super Kings will also go into the next game after beating MI and RCB.

On the head-to-head count, the Yellow Army are ahead of KKR by a long distance. If MS Dhoni and Co win the next game, they would almost make their way through to the playoffs.