Picture Credit: Twitter
The league stage of the 14th edition of the Indian Premier League (IPL) is almost done with only 13 games left. The fight to finish in the top four is getting intense with every progressing game. While Delhi and Chennai have almost booked a berth for the qualifiers, Bangalore, with 14 points, also looks in a good position. However, the fight for the fourth spot is what is making every league game interesting.
Mumbai Indians and Kolkata Knight Riders, with 10 points each, are placed at the fourth and fifth position respectively while Punjab and Rajasthan are fighting hard to earn two crucial points. Hyderabad is perhaps out of contention but they are playing for prestige. Looking at all the scenarios, cricketer-turned-commentator Aakash Chopra has picked his four teams that will qualify for the knockout stage.
Chopra, in his recent video, picked Chennai, Delhi, and Bangalore as the three teams that will make it to the playoffs for sure. However, he looked a bit unsure about the fourth team between Kolkata and Mumbai.
“I have a strong feeling for Kolkata unless they concede a self-goal as they are capable of doing it with their captain totally out of form…I am tilting towards Kolkata just because Mumbai has not been the usual self this year. The win against Punjab was also not so convincing,” he said. “Also, Kolkata has games left with teams that are below it in the points table while Mumbai will play Delhi in their next encounter,” he added.
There will be changes made to India’s T20 WC squad: Chopra
In the same video, Aakash Chopra also predicted that there will be changes made to the announced squad for the upcoming T20 World Cup. He said that Shreyas Iyer will surely make a cut into the 15-member squad while Deepak Chahar and Shardul Thakur are also knocking the doors.
Notably, the BCCI selection committee led by Chetan Sharma had announced the 15-member squad but they can make changes till October 10. With Hardik Pandya, Suryakumar Yadav, and Ishan Kishan struggling with their form, selectors may look at the alternatives available seeing the performances of players in the ongoing IPL 2021.