IPL 2023: Aakash Chopra Opines on Lucknow Super Giants Bowling Attack

Former India player turned veteran commentator Aakash Chopra said Jaydev Unadkat’s acquisition will help the Lucknow Super Giants (LSG) bowling in IPL 2023. However, Unadkat was released by the Mumbai Indians (MI) before the IPL 2023 auction. LSG bought him for just ₹50 lakhs at the auction and will hope that the left-arm pacer is at his best this season.

In a video shared on his YouTube channel, Chopra opened up on the Lucknow Super Giants bowling attack heading into IPL 2023. He said:

“They have Jaydev Unadkat. He used to be with Mumbai and is now part of this team. I think it’s a good acquisition. The Ekana ground is big and Jaydev Unadkat is growing as a bowler. When he was not bowling that well, he was getting more money. He is getting less money when he is bowling better.”

However, he was skeptical about Mark Wood’s availability for the entire tournament, stating:

“It’s always a question mark whether Mark Wood will be available for the entire season because the England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) might want their players back towards the latter half. There is a possibility, so that will have to be paid attention to.”

However, Chopra feels Wood will be the franchise’s highest wicket-taker by a long distance if he plays the entire season. The former Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) player wants the Lucknow Super Giants to use the England speedster in the middle overs and at the death, and not with the new ball.

“I feel Amit Mishra is their Impact Player in bowling” – Aakash Chopra

While saying that Mohsin Khan’s potential absence will be a big blow for the Lucknow Super Giants, Aakash Chopra wants Avesh Khan to step up in IPL 2023, stating:

“They have Avesh Khan and Mohsin Khan – it is going fifty-fifty for him because of injury. I am hearing good things about Mayank Yadav. Mohsin Khan’s absence will be felt because he did extremely well last year. Avesh Khan went down, you want him to follow an upward trajectory. There might be some potential concerns in bowling.”

Aakash Chopra named Ravi Bishnoi as a crucial player in the Lucknow Super Giants bowling lineup. He added that Amit Mishra might be the franchise’s Impact Player in the bowling department. He also said that Krishnappa Gowtham hasn’t done well yet. He also shared that Romario Shepherd and Daniel Sams are unlikely to be a part of the playing XI unless the pitch has a lot to offer for the pacers or if Wood is unavailable as well.

“Ravi Bishnoi has to have a good season. Last year he was blowing hot, blowing cold, but despite that, the team did well. I feel Amit Mishra is their Impact Player in bowling and he will be a part of the XI if they bowl first,” Aakash Chopra concluded.