Former Indian Test opener Aakash Chopra has revealed the couple of things which RCB should improve in their last league stage match against Sunrisers Hyderabad on Friday. Chopra reckons it would be imperative for the franchise that the batting duo of Jacob Bethell and Jitesh Sharma get back amongst the runs before the playoffs.
Bethell has failed to grab his opportunity at the top of the order whereas Sharma has also failed to add the finishing touches. While Bethell has scored 96 runs in seven matches, Jitesh has accumulated 93 runs in 10 innings at an average of 10 and a strike rate of 110.42.
“For RCB, I am thinking that Jacob Bethell should score runs because he hasn’t scored runs. I have heard that Phil Salt will come, but I don’t know whether he will come. Jitesh Sharma hasn’t scored runs,” Chopra said on his YouTube Channel.
“So, that’s another thing, which if corrected, it’s better, by the time you reach the Qualifier 1, because you would want to beat the Gujarat Titans in Qualifier 1. It seems like that would be the matchup because if Gujarat reaches Ahmedabad straight, and you have to go through New Chandigarh, we all know how big a fortress this team has made for themselves in Ahmedabad. That’s the Gujarat Titans,” he added.
Chopra highlighted that Sunrisers Hyderabad might not be able to finish among the top two teams in the league stage but it has been a very inspiring season for the Orange Army.
“Hyderabad need to win because they will reach 18 points, and if they win with a big margin, they might finish in the top two, but will they be able to do that? Hyderabad might not be able to finish in the top two, but it has been a very inspired campaign thus far,” he said.
The renowned commentator added that Pat Cummins’ will look to end their league stage campaign with a win at home.
“So, go in the same flow. At least progress with a win, even if it means you have to go to New Chandigarh and don’t get a chance to go to Dharamsala. There aren’t too many things that are worthy of or need correction. I think they are in a very good space,” Chopra observed.
SRH and RCB will take on each other at Hyderabad on Friday.
