IPL 2024: "If he has gone, he will do something interesting" - Aakash Chopra comments on Gautam Gambhir moving from LSG to KKR

Former India player turned veteran commentator Aakash Chopra hopes Gautam Gambhir will bring some interesting changes in the Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) setup as he has recently joined them as a mentor ahead of the IPL 2024 auction. However, Gambhir mentored the Lucknow Super Giants (LSG) in the last two IPL seasons and took them to the playoffs twice as well.

He has now returned to the KKR camp as a mentor and he is likely to revive their fortunes in the upcoming edition of the cash-rich league. In a video shared on his YouTube channel, Chopra referred to Gambhir’s move from LSG to KKR as a surprising and interesting development as well.

He added, “Gautam Gambhir has gone to Kolkata, which has come as a bit of a surprise because he was doing very well for Lucknow. He mentored them for two years and took the team forward as well, the team reached the playoffs both times. If he has gone, he will do something interesting.”

Howveer, Aakash Chopra also added that the former KKR captain might want the Eden Gardens to be a turning track as well. He also feels KKR could release all-rounder Shardul Thakur and Lockie Ferguson to make a bigger purse available for the upcoming auction as well.

“There is no doubt he is a good choice. Lucknow’s loss is Kolkata’s gain. He will try to get turning pitches made because whether he is the captain or coach, he likes turning pitches, bowler-friendly. They have three spinners in the form of Sunil Narine, Suyash Sharma and Varun Chakravarthy, and the option of Anukul Roy,” he further added.

“They needed a death bowler” – Aakash Chopra on Avesh Khan moving to RR from LSG

Meanwhile, Aakash Chopra feels that the Rajasthan Royals (RR) trading in Avesh Khan from the Lucknow Super Giants could be a welcome acquisition as well. He also stated that Devdutt Padikkal, who moved from RR to LSG, should bat in the top three for the new franchise as well.

He stated: “Avesh Khan will be useful for Rajasthan. Prasidh Krishna, Trent Boult, Obed McCoy and Avesh Khan – they needed a death bowler. They have Sandeep Sharma. Avesh Khan doesn’t have great numbers. He might be seen playing today (first T20I against Australia). It will be interesting how he gets set there.”

“Similarly, it will be interesting to see how Lucknow use Devdutt Padikkal. In my opinion, don’t play him below No. 3. Actually his right number is opening but he won’t get a spot as an opener. Play him at No. 3 for sure,” he concluded.