India’s former opening batter Aakash Chopra has picked five legendary players who might have taken over among the most expensive players who played in the Indian Premier League (IPL). He chose one player each from India, West Indies, Pakistan, South Africa and England.
New Delhi: India’s former opening batter Aakash Chopra has picked five legendary players who might have taken over among the most expensive players who played in the Indian Premier League (IPL). He chose one player each from India, West Indies, Pakistan, South Africa and England.
It is worth mentioning that Aakash Chopra has chosen players he has watched playing, he added that the likes of Barry Richards, Clive Lloyd and Sir Gary Sobers have not been considered for the same reason.
5. Sir Ian Botham
“At No. 5, Sir Ian Botham. He was an incredible player. He used to get the ball to swing, bowl fast, and bat along with that, and in batting, he used to hit sixes. He used to pick up wickets as well. He tried to swing the ball by bowling full. What a quality player, brought two dimensions on the field, and was a very colorful character,” he said.
4. Lance Klusener
“At No. 4, I am going towards Lance Klusener. He was nicknamed Zulu. He was a left-hander who used to hit so hard that the deep fielders couldn’t even move. After that, bowling. He used to have a different kind of action and bowl close to 140 kmph. If Lance Klusener had been there in today’s era, we would have spent 20-25 crores to acquire him,” he elaborated.
3. Wasim Akram
“I am keeping Wasim Akram at No. 3. When we say Jasprit Bumrah can be the most expensive, Wasim Akram would have been a four-over bank, whether with the new or old ball, yorker at the stumps, slower one, fast bowling par excellence. He used to slog well with the bat as well,” he said
2. Sir Vivian Richards
“At No. 2, Sir Vivian Richards. He was a king of a different level. He was the emperor. He used to wear a cap, move it slightly to the side, have a chewing gum in his mouth, and then thrash the bowlers. When everyone used to bat at a strike rate of 50 to 70, he used to score at a strike rate of 80 to 90. Along with that bowling and then the brand value,” Chopra elaborated.
1. Kapil Dev
“At No. 1, I am going with an Indian. I have kept Kapil Dev at No. 1 because he is an Indian, a captain, and an all-rounder – a batter, bowler and an incredible fielder. When he used to hit four consecutive sixes in Tests, how much he would have thrashed the bowlers in T20s. In bowling, he used to get the ball to swing. I have no doubt in my mind that if Kapil Dev had ever been in the auction, he would have been the most expensive player,” he reasoned.
