IPL 2023: Aakash Chopra Praises Akash Madhwal’s Spell in MI’s Eliminator Win vs LSG

Former India cricketer-turned-veteran commentator Aakash Chopra has applauded Akash Madhwal for bowling a match-winning spell for the Mumbai Indians (MI) in the IPL 2023 Eliminator against the Lucknow Super Giants (LSG) in Chennai on Wednesday, May 24. MI posted a 183-run target after opting to bat first and Madhwal then registered sensational figures of 5/5 to complete a stunning 81-run win and seal a berth in Qualifier 2 against the Gujarat Titans.

While talking about the game in a video shared on his YouTube channel, Aakash Chopra heaped praise on Madhwal. He also pointed out that the Mumbai Indians seamer was unquestionably the most valuable player of the game as well.

“The sky has a lot of stars but this sky is himself a shining star. Akash Madhwal picked up five wickets and gave away only five runs and this five-title-winning team has reached the next stage and will meet the Gujarat Titans in Qualifier 2 in Ahmedabad. What a game it was where Naveen-ul-Haq picked up four wickets and Yash Thakur took three wickets, but a guy did a better job than that, he picked a five-wicket haul. Akash Madhwal did an amazing job. Akash Madhwal without a shadow of doubt is my most valuable player,” Aakash Chopra again stated.

Notably, Naveen-ul-Haq and Yash Thakur returned figures of 4/38 and 3/34 respectively for the Lucknow Super Giants. Akash Madhwal then registered his five-wicket haul that dismantle the opposition.

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Aakash Chopra also shared why Akash Madhwal is penetrative with both the old and new ball as well. He said:

“What is the specialty of this bowler? He picked up four wickets in the last match where he was hitting the ball on the pads and stumps at the death. He always finishes his ball within the three stumps. Here with the new ball as well. The new ball moves away slightly, so he bowls wicket-taking lines there too.”

He also praised the pacer’s delivery that dismissed Nicholas Pooran. However, Akash Madhwal not only registered the best figures in the ongoing edition of the Indian Premier League but also the best in a playoff game so far in the tournament’s history as well.

“Remember, he dismissed Shubman Gill and Wriddhiman Saha as well. Here he dismissed Prerak Mankad and after that, when he came in the middle, the Nicholas Pooran delivery was extremely beautiful. Forget T20, a guy would get out to that ball in a Test match too. He was absolutely stellar and then came later to bowl the ball in the block hole,” he concluded.