'Akela banda sab pe bhaari hai' - Aakash Chopra predicts a Nicholas Pooran special in RR vs LSG clash

Aakash Chopra lauded Nicholas Pooran's ability to carry his team on his shoulders ahead of Lucknow Super Giants' (LSG) clash against Rajasthan Royals (RR) at the Sawai Mansingh Stadium in Jaipur on Saturday, April 19.

Lucknow have been one of the most formidable batting sides in the 2025 edition of the Indian Premier League (IPL). They have got runs from their openers - Mitchell Marsh and Aiden Markram. Ayush Badoni and David Miller have also made some vital contributions. Skipper Rishabh Pant has not been at his best, but a gritty half-century in the last game against Chennai Super Kings could work as the tonic he needed.

Meanwhile, the best batter for LSG has been the former West Indies T20 captain, Pooran. The southpaw has scored 357 runs from seven matches at an average of 59.50 and a strike rate of 208.77. While analysing LSG's batting performance in IPL 2025, Chopra said that Pooran's staggering form has overshadowed minor shortcomings.

"Mitchell Marsh and Aiden Markram are doing a good job as openers. Rishabh Pant finally scored runs in the last match. (David) Miller hasn't been able to fire thus far. You remember one innings from (Ayush) Badoni. It was an extremely chancy innings in the last match," Chopra said in a video uploaded on his YouTube channel.

"However, they can still manage in batting because Nicholas Pooran comes in the middle at No. 3. Akela banda sab pe bhaari hai (one guy alone is proving too much for everyone). He is a mighty player. He is due to fire, as he got dismissed in the last match, and that doesn't happen repeatedly. If he hits, the game will become interesting," he added.

They have a few concerns in bowling for sure: Aakash Chopra

While speaking about LSG's bowling department, Chopra reckoned that leg-spinners Ravi Bishnoi and Digvesh Rathi will fare well against the Royals at the Sawai Mansingh Stadium.

"They have a few concerns in bowling for sure. This is Ravi Bishnoi's home. He comes from Rajasthan, so he knows the Sawai Mansingh very well. I feel Digvesh Rathi will bowl well in this game. It will be slightly difficult to hit the spinners as the ball will hit the bottom of the bat," Chopra said.

The former India batter opined that if Mayank Yadav, who has been on the sidelines due to back and toe injuries, plays against the Royals, it will add more thrill to the game.

"Will Mayank Yadav be seen playing? That is a big story. If Mayank Yadav is playing, it brings a little more thrill because he has pace. He is coming back from injury. Ideally, you want to put him in straightaway, and if they play him, the guy has the might," the cricketer-turned-expert observed.