Former Indian opener Aakash Chopra expressed disappointment over Lucknow Super Giants’ captain KL Rahul’s decision to bring Ravi Bishnoi late to bowl against Punjab Kings in a recent IPL match. The decision surprised Chopra, especially after Bishnoi took a couple of wickets in his three overs.
Bishnoi, the Super Giants’ frontline spinner, didn’t come on to bowl until the 15th over of the game, a decision that baffled Chopra. The wrist-spinner struck in his first over to remove Sam Curran and Sikandar Raza in the second, but it was too late. He bowled the final over, but the Kings required only seven runs, which Shahrukh Khan hit to record their third victory.
Chopra, who is now a cricket commentator, questioned the decision of not bowling Bishnoi earlier, while Krunal Pandya and Krishnappa Gowtham bowled seven between them. “Punjab Kings lose their openers cheaply. Matthew Short played a good knock, but his dismissal meant the Kings had problems. Harpreet Bhatia joined Sikandar Raza, and we screamed in commentary about bringing Ravi Bishnoi to bowl. It defied logic that KL Rahul brought him late.”
Chopra further said that Lucknow Super Giants and Punjab Kings didn’t use their bowling resources well, and if they did, the teams could have had an advantage. The same sentiment applied to David Warner, who didn’t use his options well.
Chopra was pleased to see Sikandar Raza’s form for Zimbabwe translated into the IPL. Raza scored a brisk half-century, while Shahrukh Khan hit 23* to help PBKS secure the win. “Punjab lose wickets, and the match goes down to the wire; however, Shahrukh Khan changes the game’s result. He also hits the winning runs. Raza has played well for Zimbabwe for a long time, and it was heartening to see him do well here.”
Chopra also said that Punjab Kings won their third game of IPL 2023, and the Super Giants suffered their second loss, which could have been avoided if Bishnoi had been brought in earlier.