"If Hardik is not going to bowl, you end up paying a lot for it" - Aakash Chopra wants Gujarat Titans to play a 6th bowler vs CSK

Aakash Chopra wants the Gujarat Titans (GT) to play an additional bowler in their IPL 2023 Qualifier 1 clash against the Chennai Super Kings (CSK) if Hardik Pandya is not fit enough to bowl.

The two sides will square off at Chepauk in Chennai on Tuesday, May 23. The defending champions played only five frontline bowlers in their last three matches, with Rahul Tewatia being forced to complete Noor Ahmad's quota against the SunRisers Hyderabad when the Afghanistan wrist-spinner got injured.

While previewing the game in a video shared on his YouTube, Chopra suggested Jayant Yadav as a possible sixth bowling option for the Gujarat Titans, stating:

"Gujarat are playing with only five bowlers until now, which I think is not a great strategy, the last game and the Mumbai game. If Hardik is not going to bowl, you end up paying a lot for it. So play an additional bowling option. It could be Jayant Yadav."

However, the former Indian opener pointed out that the Gujarat Titans have a decent bowling attack otherwise, elaborating:

"Mohammad Shami is doing very well. Yash Dayal is 50-50. He is blowing hot, blowing cold. It is slightly tough for Mohit Sharma if you bowl all his overs at the death, after the 10th over, although he knows the conditions as he used to play for CSK earlier. Two quality spinners in Rashid Khan and Noor Ahmad."

Mohammad Shami and Rashid Khan, with 24 scalps apiece, are the highest wicket-takers in the ongoing edition of the Indian Premier League. Mohit Sharma (17) and Noor Ahmad (13) are the other GT bowlers to have picked up more than 10 wickets.

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"Wriddhiman Saha will be crucial on this pitch" - Aakash Chopra on the Gujarat Titans' batting

Wriddhiman Saha is known for his aggressive approach at the top of the order. [P/C: iplt20.com]

Reflecting on the Gujarat Titans' batting, Aakash Chopra expects Wriddhiman Saha to be a key player, reasoning:

"Shubman Gill will open with Wriddhiman Saha. Shubman Gill is coming after scoring two consecutive centuries. Wriddhiman Saha will be crucial on this pitch because if the ball is turning, you will expect runs from Wriddhi."

The cricketer-turned-commentator feels Vijay Shankar is not best suited to bat at No. 3, elaborating:

"Who will come to bat after that? They played Sai Sudharsan. I feel they should have played him more but they are not playing him. They have gone towards Vijay Shankar, who I don't think will come at No. 3. He is actually a No. 4 or No. 5 batter."

While expecting Pandya to bat at No. 3, Chopra picked the rest of the Gujarat Titans' likely batting order, saying:

"So I am seeing Hardik Pandya bat at No. 3 followed by Vijay Shankar, after that Dasun Shanaka, and then David Miller followed by Rashid Khan. I am seeing their batting makeup somewhat like this."

Chopra concluded by highlighting Dasun Shanaka's lack of runs as a minor concern for the franchise. Apart from the aforementioned batters, the Titans also have Rahul Tewatia, who is renowned for his finishing skills.