IPL 2021: Aakash Chopra names a few replacement players franchises can pick for the UAE leg

The second leg of the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2021 is less than a month away from getting underway in the UAE. Though the BCCI has made sure that most of the foreign players feature in the remaining 31 matches, a handful number of cricketers are still unavailable due to different reasons. The franchises have also started looking for replacements and former India cricketer Aakash Chopra has listed out a few who could get signed for this season.

The Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) revealed last week on Saturday that they signed Wanindu Hasaranga and Dushmantha Chameera along with Tim David. A host of Australian players were unavailable for them even as Finn Allen and Scott Kuggeleijn, the original replacement players, also pulled out due to national duty. Even the likes of Rajasthan Royals and Punjab Kings are still looking for more replacement players.

With the likes of Jofra Archer, Pat Cummins, Jhye Richardson among others not available, the fast bowlers could be in demand. Aakash Chopra, while speaking on his Youtube channel, has picked Merchant de Lange, Sheldon Cottrell, Oshane Thomas who could make an impact.

“Merchant de Lange – if anyone needs a fast bowler. Sheldon Cottrell – he was sold quite expensive one year and was with Punjab as well. They let him go and no one else picked him. He will come after playing the CPL, so he will have match form as well.

“Oshane Thomas and Billy Stanlake, I will also add Fidel Edwards to this list. His recent T20 numbers have been very good. Mitchell McClenaghan, a player who was there with the Mumbai Indians for a long time,” Chopra said.

Conway and Van der Dussen could be good picks in batsmen, reckons Aakash

Among the all-rounders, Aakash Chopra felt two more Sri Lankan players could be potential replacements. Moreover, he also went for Alex Hales, Devon Conway and Evin Lewis among a few more who could get picked in the batting department. “Devon Conway, his T20 numbers are outstanding. You have taken Glenn Phillips for Jos Buttler, but if you are looking for an opener, why not Devon Conway. Rassie Van Der Dussen, another middle-order striker of the ball.

“Marnus Labuschagne is always there in the periphery. He has the pedigree in international cricket. Alex Hales – no one picks him. Lendl Simmons, Evin Lewis – these are names who are still making runs and a lot of them,” the former cricketer further added.