IPL 2020: Aakash Chopra calls Jimmy Neesham 'not a match-winner'; the all-rounder responds

The Kings XI Punjab (KXIP) losing to Mumbai Indians (MI) raised many eyebrows. Many experts lashed out at the team management’s tactics. Among them was former India cricketer Aakash Chopra who questioned the bowlers KL Rahul reserved for the death overs while also questioning Jimmy Neesham’s role in the side who is neither a finisher not a death overs bowler.

Neesham bowled a couple of overs in the death against MI and was taken to the cleaners. He went for 52 runs in his four overs and couldn’t do much with the match. Chopra didn’t seem too happy with the team’s composition as he also said that the Kiwi all-rounder is not a match-winner.

A Twitter user decided to share this news with Jimmy Neesham and the New Zealand cricketer, in his own way, has responded to the Aakash Chopra’s criticism. He took a dig at the former cricketer’s T20 career. Chopra played 21 T20 matches scoring 334 runs at an average of 18.55 and a strike-rate 91.25.

Pointing out these numbers, Neesham tweeted that they are not match-winning either and laughed his heart out. “Averaging 18.5 striking at 90 doesn’t win many matches either,” the tweet read.

Here’s the tweet:

Averaging 18.5 striking at 90 doesn’t win many matches either 😂😂😂😂 https://t.co/qNmotRL0WT

— Jimmy Neesham (@JimmyNeesh) October 3, 2020

This didn’t end here as one of the fans advised Jimmy Neesham to accept that he hasn’t fared well. The 30-year-old responded to the tweet stating that he has batted only once since March. “Recently you have not been at your best” I’ve literally batted once since March. You idiots really jump on anything aye,” he said.

Here’s the second tweet:

“Recently you have not been at your best”

I’ve literally batted once since March. You idiots really jump on anything aye 😂 https://t.co/a8QJwbbFbO

— Jimmy Neesham (@JimmyNeesh) October 3, 2020

Aakash Chopra responds to Jimmy Neesham’s dig

The social media banter between Aakash Chopra and Jimmy Neesham continues as the former responded to the all-rounder taking a dig at his T20 stats. The cricketer-turned-commentator stated that he gets paid now for something else and due to his poor record in the shortest format, nobody picks him anymore.

“Correct my friend. That’s why nobody picks me anymore. I get paid for doing something else. I’m glad that you don’t have an issue with my observations but with my cricket stats. Go well for the rest of the #IPL,” Chopra wrote in his tweet.

Correct my friend. That’s why nobody picks me anymore. I get paid for doing something else 😇🤗 I’m glad that you don’t have an issue with my observations but with my cricket stats. Go well for the rest of the #IPL. https://t.co/FFuYAyFtMZ

— Aakash Chopra (@cricketaakash) October 3, 2020