Former Indian Test opener Aakash Chopra has suggested that Mayank Yadav can replace Shardul Thakur in Lucknow Super Giants’ playing XI for the IPL 2025 clash against Delhi Capitals at Lucknow on Tuesday. Yadav has recently joined the LSG squad after recuperating from an injury and he was also part of the substitute list in the last game against the Rajasthan Royals but didn’t get his opportunity.
Yadav had impressed with the ball in the previous season as he had consistently bowled above 145 kmph. Furthermore, he was also accurate in his line and length as he scalped seven wickets in four matches of IPL 2024. Subsequently, he made his India debut against Bangladesh in October.
Meanwhile, Shardul Thakur is the leading wicket-taker for LSG in the ongoing season with 12 scalps in eight matches but he has conceded his runs at a high economy rate of 11.
Chopra wants LSG to back Prince Yadav as the fast bowler is bowling really well.
“They (LSG) have actually managed to win the previous game magnificently. Avesh Khan bowled extremely well there. Play Prince Yadav for sure, whether Mayank Yadav is available or not, because he is bowling very well. If Mayank is available, you can leave Shardul out and play Mayank,” Aakash Chopra said on his YouTube Channel.
On the other hand, Rishabh Pant has failed to lead from the front as the LSG captain has managed only 106 runs in seven innings at an average of 15.14.
“Pant still hasn’t scored runs. Since Rishabh Pant hasn’t scored runs, there is an overreliance on the top three. You have managed a few wins, but this job won’t be done without Pant firing. David Miller is not being used well,” he observed.
The renowned commentator urged LSG to promote David Miller in the batting order as the South African has faced only 81 balls in eight innings.
“If you have Mitchell Marsh, Aiden Markram, Nicholas Pooran, Rishabh Pant and David Miller, they should be your top five. If (Ayush) Badoni plays 35 balls, he would score 50-odd. However, if David Miller plays the same 35 balls, he would score 65. It may sound a little risky as you are sending an out-of-form David Miller so early, but the form won’t come if he doesn’t get a chance,” Chopra elaborated.
On the other hand, Chopra wants Delhi Capitals to include Dushmantha Chameera in their playing XI.
“When I look towards Delhi, most things are okay. You have even dropped Jake Fraser-McGurk now, but consider playing Dushmantha Chameera. If you wish, you can play him because playing with three overseas players is not a good thing at all,” he said (19:00) in the same video.
The renowned commentator noted that DC were a batter short in the last game against GT, and they can include Sameer Rizvi.
“They also did the same thing. They didn’t have a batter at No. 7 when they got to bat first. What is that approach? So you can play (Sameer) Rizvi as well. If you wish, you can also think like that,” Chopra observed.
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