"Since he failed in the last match, let's focus on Rahul" - Aakash Chopra on LSG players to watch out for in IPL 2024 clash vs RR

Aakash Chopra expects KL Rahul to be among the runs in the Lucknow Super Giants' (LSG) IPL 2024 clash against the Rajasthan Royals (RR).

The two sides will square off in Lucknow in the second game on Saturday, April 27. While a win for RR will give them a six-point lead at the top of the points table, an LSG victory will help them climb into second position.

In a video shared on his YouTube channel, Chopra chose KL Rahul as the first LSG player in focus in Saturday's evening game.

"Since he failed in the last match, let's focus on Rahul. There will be slight danger from Trent Boult but after that, Sandeep Sharma and Avesh Khan. As good as everyone is, you can actually back KL Rahul to do well," he reasoned (10:30).

The former India opener reckons Nicholas Pooran will be a crucial player for the hosts.

"Then Nicholas Pooran in the middle order because he is in that kind of form. If you have to neutralize Yuzi (Yuzvendra) Chahal and Ravichandran Ashwin's threat, Pooran needs to do well. So the second guy I am going with is Nicholas Pooran," Chopra explained.

Chopra picked Mayank Yadav, if he plays, or alternatively Mohsin Khan, as the LSG bowler to watch out for.

"With the ball, if Mayank plays, then Mayank, and if he doesn't, I will go with Mohsin Khan. Mohsin Khan dismissed Yashasvi (Jaiswal) in their last clash. So I will focus on him that if Mayank Yadav is not playing, let's go with Mohsin Khan to watch out for," he said.

Mayank picked up six wickets in his first two games in IPL 2024 but sustained a hip injury in his third outing. Mohsin has picked up seven wickets in five games and is only behind Yash Thakur (9) in the franchise's wicket-taking charts.

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"I am going with the two openers" - Aakash Chopra on the RR players to watch out for

Yashasvi Jaiswal (left) and Jos Buttler have scored three centuries between them in IPL 2024. [P/C: iplt20.com]

Aakash Chopra chose Yashasvi Jaiswal and Jos Buttler as the Rajasthan Royals batters to watch out for.

"If I talk about Rajasthan, Yashasvi is coming after scoring a hundred, so you need to back him. Jos Buttler along with Yashasvi. He is coming as an impact sub but is making a strong impact. So I am going with the two openers - Yashasvi and Jos Buttler," he said (11:40).

The cricketer-turned-commentator picked Trent Boult ahead of Yuzvendra Chahal and Ravichandran Ashwin as the crucial bowler for the visitors.

"I should go with a fast bowler at this ground. So I am leaving Yuzi Chahal and Ashwin. I am going with Trent Boult. New ball, a little movement, with Quinton de Kock and KL Rahul in front of him - two big threats. If Trent Boult does the job at the start, the scales of the match will tilt," Chopra stated.

With nine scalps in eight games, Boult is the Royals' second-highest wicket-taker in IPL 2024. Only Chahal (13) has accounted for more dismissals than the left-arm seamer for the franchise this season.