Former Indian Test opener Aakash Chopra believes Lucknow Super Giants’ captain Rishabh Pant could employ M Siddharth against KKR openers – Finn Allen and Ajinkya Rahane. Siddharth returned with figures of 1-29 in his four overs against SRH in the last game.
Chopra highlighted that the New Zealand opener fails to read the spinners, whereas Rahane has struggled to get going against the spinners.
The renowned commentator said Mohammed Shami is also going to hold the key for LSG in the Powerplay overs. Shami had returned with impressive figures of 2-9 in the last game against Sunrisers Hyderabad, accounting for the opposition’s openers – Abhishek Sharma and Travis Head – with slower deliveries.
“LSG have won only one match, and they have lost one. They lost to Delhi and won against Hyderabad. They actually won a good match. Shami was absolutely outstanding in the previous game. Four overs, nine runs, 18 dot balls, and two wickets. The focus will be on him,” Chopra said on his YouTube Channel.
“He will be expected to pick up wickets with the new ball, whether it’s Rahane, Finn Allen, or Cameron Green at No. 3. Shami with the new ball will be a threat. I feel you might see M Siddharth bowling with the new ball because neither Finn Allen understands spin nor is Rahane able to play big shots against spin. If I were you, I would do that,” he added.
The former KKR batter said Nicholas Pooran’s current form is a cause of concern for LSG. Pooran hasn’t been able to deliver in the first two games.
“The big question for LSG is what they should do about Pooran. Are you making a mistake by playing Pooran at No. 5? Is he not made for that number? He did so well last year. He played at No. 3. However, he has just one score of 33 in the last 10 matches. He hasn’t crossed the score of 30. So the current form is absolutely missing. It hasn’t come here,” he said.
Chopra reckons Aiden Markram, Mitchell Marsh, and Rishabh Pant should be LSG’s top three batters, whereas Ayush Badoni and Abdul Samad can bat according to match situation.
“So if something has not come, I don’t think you should put him at No. 3 or No. 4 in trying to find it. Don’t touch the openers. Pant, you should remain at No. 3. At No. 4, you can decide based on whether it’s Badoni or Nicholas Pooran’s entry point, but I really do feel that you shouldn’t move Pant from there. Don’t bring Pooran at No. 3,” Chopra observed.
LSG will take on KKR at Eden Gardens, Kolkata, on Thursday.
