Aakash Chopra picks Delhi Capitals as favourites to win IPL 2020

Delhi Capitals will be up against Mumbai Indians in the final of the ongoing 13th edition of the Indian Premier League (IPL 2020) on November 10 at the Dubai International Cricket Stadium. A positive result for Capitals will end their 13-year long wait of lifting their maiden coveted T20 Trophy, while a victory for Mumbai Indians will result in them clinching the title for a record 5 times.

Ahead of the marquee event, the former Indian opener and cricket analyst Aakash Chopra opined on who among Mumbai and Delhi will end on the winning side. Aakash also revealed the strategies DC should implement to win their maiden IPL crown.

In a video uploaded on his YouTube channel, Chopra reckoned that the move of promoting Marcus Stoinis up the batting order and the current form of power-hitter Shimron Hetmyer, will benefit the Capitals. It will strengthen their batting line-up and can help them in posting or chasing a big total

“The Delhi Capitals have got Stoinis to open the batting and Hetmyer has got form. I think there are two very important components of this team,” Aakash Chopra said.

Ajinkya Rahane should open the innings for Delhi Capitals

However, the cricket commentator is not confident about Stoinis opening the innings for DC as he feels that Rahane would be a better choice in front of Mumbai’s lethal pace attack that boasts of Jasprit Bumrah, Trent Boult and James Pattinson. Aakash opined that Stoinis might struggle to get going against these three seamers with the new ball.

“But Stoinis as an opener in front of Mumbai, whose bowling standards are very high, I am not 100% certain if Stoinis will be able to score runs.”

“They may actually go back to Rahane as an opener. I would actually entertain that thought when I see the bowling in front of them – Bumrah, Boult and Pattinson – would it be possible to slog with the new ball, I am not 100% certain,” the 43-year-old stated

Further in the video, Chopra reckoned that the form of Shikhar Dhawan will be very crucial for Delhi as the team is extensively dependent on their opening batsman. However, one thing that can be a matter of concern for Dhawan is that he had bagged a duck in the last two games against Mumbai. The veteran batsman also hopes that the skipper Shreyas Iyer and power-hitter Rishabh Pant will regain their forms in this big match.

“Shikhar Dhawan’s form is very critical for them. When he does well, the team also does well. We have seen that in the whole season and he had batted well in the last match as well although he had got out for a duck against Mumbai.”

“I am waiting for Shreyas Iyer and Rishabh Pant’s form. The backend of the tournament has been slightly cold for Shreyas and the entire tournament for Pant. Hopefully in this game they will come to the fore and do well.” Chopra added.

I am going with Delhi: Aakash Chopra

The renowned commentator feels that the South African pacer Anrich Nortje will play the role of a game-changer for the first time finalists. He also praised the bowling attack that is laced with spinners Ravichandran Ashwin and Axar Patel and seamers Kagiso Rabada, Nortje and Stoinis.

“Their bowling is good, with Rabada, Nortje, Ashwin and Axar as four good bowlers and Marcus Stoinis has got that wicket-taking knack. I am going towards an unlikely character. He has done very well but you generally don’t think that he can be the game-changer. I am going with Anrich Nortje.”

“I feel he will give a couple of blows to the Mumbai Indians which will tilt the balance towards the Delhi Capitals. He has got the pace and the bounce and the wickets behind him with Rabada for support.”

Aakash Chopra signed off by picking the Delhi Capitals as the probable IPL 2020 champions.”I am going with Delhi.”