“Devdutt Padikkal is a fantastic addition” – Aakash Chopra on Lucknow Super Giants’ strengths heading into IPL 2024

Former Indian Test opener Aakash Chopra reckons Devdutt Padikkal is a fantastic addition by Lucknow Super Giants. Padikkal had impressed in his debut season as an opener while playing for Royal Challengers Bangalore but batted in the middle order for his former team, Rajasthan Royals. The southpaw amassed 261 runs at an average of 26.10 and a strike rate of 130.50 in 11 innings in the previous season.

Meanwhile, the 23-year-old has scored 2227 runs in 31 first-class matches at an average of 44.54. The left-hander has been in terrific form in the ongoing Ranji Trophy season, scoring 556 runs in four matches at an impressive average of 92.66 and thus he was rewarded by the selectors for his consistent performances as he was added to the Test squad.

The left-hander made an impressive Test debut against England as he scored a fine knock of 65 runs.

Aakash Chopra said on his YouTube Channel, “I think Devdutt Padikkal is a fantastic addition. A question will definitely be there about where they should get him to bat. I want him to open. Along with him, Kyle Mayers/Quinton de Kock. My heart says Quinton de Kock because if I play him 14 matches, he will play at least five game-changing knocks.”

The renowned commentator added that LSG has a lot of potent overseas players, who can play a key role in the team’s success.

“This team has lots of all-rounders. Their overseas bunch is extremely strong. They have Ashton Turner, Marcus Stoinis, Kyle Mayers, David Willey, Quinton de Kock, Nicholas Pooran, Shamar Joseph and Naveen-ul-Haq. So they do have a fairly decent overseas squad and many of them are all-rounders,” Chopra elaborated.

“You can see Marcus Stoinis and Kyle Mayers, and Quinton de Kock is a wicketkeeper. Then you have got Nicholas Pooran, who is a wicketkeeper. Ashton Turner is an all-rounder. There are plenty of options to play around,” the former KKR player added.

Chopra noted that LSG is a team filled with all-rounders as they have players like Deepak Hooda and Krunal Pandya.

“Then they have Deepak Hooda. His recent first-class form was very good. Devdutt Padikkal, KL Rahul, and another all-rounder in the form of Krunal Pandya. Deepak Hooda is also an all-rounder. It’s a team filled with all-rounders,” he said.

Chopra also highlighted that LSG has a potent spin battery as they have spinners like Amit Mishra, Krunal Pandya, and Ravi Bishnoi.

“They have options in spin bowling. They have Amit Mishra, Ravi Bishnoi and Krunal Pandya. So they will have eight overs of decent spin and then they always used Mishra as an Impact Player,” Chopra stated.

Lucknow Super Giants will begin their IPL 2024 campaign against Rajasthan Royals at Jaipur on March 24.