IPL 2023: Aakash Chopra Questions KL Rahul for His Slow Knock

Former India player turned veteran commentator Aakash Chopra has questioned KL Rahul for his timid slow batting approach in the Lucknow Super Giants’ (LSG) IPL 2023 win against the Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB). However, RCB posted a huge 213-run target for LSG in Bengaluru on Monday, April 10. The visiting side, meanwhile chased down the target on the very last ball with just one wicket to spare despite Rahul scoring 18 runs off 20 balls.

While talking about the Lucknow Super Giants‘ chase in a video shared on his YouTube channel, Chopra was surprised by KL Rahul’s approach, saying: “It seemed I was playing because he (KL Rahul) was playing at a run-a-ball. It was surprising because although wickets were falling, a player of KL Rahul’s class should hit. The bat is not firing this year and the problem is that if it hasn’t fired here, it will not fire in Lucknow in any case, the pitches are not good there.”

On the other hand, Aakash Chopra applauded Marcus Stoinis for playing a stunning knock. However, Stoinis scored 65 runs off 30 balls when LSG were reduced to 23/3 after four overs as well. He managed the 76-run fourth-wicket partnership with KL Rahul before getting out.

He further added: “Marcus Stoinis came and hit hard. Lucknow made a huge investment (₹10 crore) in this player. Everyone was surprised why so much money was spent on him but he gave his dividend this time. He batted extremely well.”

IPL 2023: “He activated flight mode” – Aakash Chopra praises Nicholas Pooran’s knock

However, Aakash Chopra applauded Nicholas Pooran for playing a swashbuckling knock in LSG’s run-chase. He also praised Ayush Badoni for playing a steady knock before his unfortunate dismissal.

“When Marcus got out and Rahul got out right after him, it seemed they are gone. But there came Nicholas Pooran. He sent the balls far away. He activated flight mode. He scores this season’s fastest fifty in just 15 balls. Ayush Badoni – how well he played. He came in as the Impact Player and played an extremely important knock. When Nicholas Pooran got out while trying to hit a six off Siraj’s full toss, he was left alone. He first hit a four off Wayne Parnell’s bowling and then a six but got out hit-wicket,” Aakash Chopra again shared.

He again stated that LSG somehow managed to register a win in the end.

“An extra fielder had to come in for the last over because the overrate was slow. One run was required off the last delivery – too much drama. There was a run-out chance at the non-striker’s end which was missed. Then Dinesh Karthik couldn’t gather the ball and in the end, Lucknow won the match by one wicket off the last ball,” Aakash Chopra concluded.