Aakash Chopra feels RCB would fancy their chances if IPL is held in UAE

India’s esteemed cricket commentator and former opening batsman Aakash Chopra  reckons the Virat Kohli-led Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) might benefit if the Indian Premier League (IPL) is held in the United Arab Emirates (UAE). He also mentioned Chennai Super Kings (CSK) and Kings XI Punjab (KXIP) as the other two favourites stating that they might do well in those conditions.

Aakash Chopra stated that the big grounds where your bowling won’t be exposed would favour a weak bowling side like Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) who features a strong batting lineup. 

“Batting conditions would not have much of an impact. In fact, certain teams may start feeling better. RCB for example, because when the grounds are big your bowling is not exposed that much even if it is weak. RCB I think might actually do well,” he said while speaking on his Youtube channel.

Aakash Chopra also emphasized how teams who have a lot of good spinners would actually do well mentioning CSK will once again be the ‘Super Kings’. He also felt that the KXIP as favourites as the place suits them a lot remarking Glenn Maxwell’s great batting display at the venues in UAE.

Aakash Chopra cautions players of getting dehydrated

Aakash Chopra also mentioned that the batsmen might have to be cautious of being dehydrated due to the overwhelming conditions in the middle east. On being asked about the problems the batsmen have to face because of the conditions in the UAE, he cited that more than the surface it would be the heat in the Emirates that might trouble the batsmen.

“There will be no problem although they might have to fight a little bit with the heat. For now, the weather is good. Let’s be fair, UAE experiences a lot of heat. But September and October are still the pleasant months,” the 42-year-old further said.

He also implied that due to the tightly packed schedule of the cash-rich league, possibly starting from 26 September and ending on 7 November, it is about 6 weeks including the final week playoffs, there might be a lot of double-headers with the league phase to be concluded in five weeks.

He observed that the afternoon heat might take a toll on the players and they might have to be cautious of being dehydrated. “In double-headers, however pleasant it might be, it is after all the heat of the middle east. So, batsmen might get dehydrated,” he ascertained.