Aakash Chopra picks 5 legends who might have been the most expensive in the IPL, includes 1 Indian
Aakash Chopra has picked five legends who might have been among the most expensive players had they played in the Indian Premier League (IPL). He chose one player each from India, West Indies, Pakistan, South Africa, and England.
Chopra noted that he has only chosen players he has watched. He added that the likes of Sir Gary Sobers, Barry Richards, and Clive Lloyd have not been considered for the same reason.
In a video shared on his YouTube channel 'Aakash Chopra', the former India opener chose former England all-rounder Sir Ian Botham at No. 5.
"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 (1:25).
Chopra picked South African all-rounder Lance Klusener at No. 4.
"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.
Klusener smashed 3576 runs at a strike rate of 89.91 in 137 ODI innings. He also picked up 192 wickets at an economy rate of 4.70 in 164 ODI innings.
"Fast bowling par excellence" - Aakash Chopra on Wasim Akram
In the same video, Aakash Chopra chose Pakistan's Wasim Akram at No. 3 for his exceptional skills with the ball and ability to play the big shots.
"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 (3:00).
The cricketer-turned-commentator picked the West Indies legend Sir Viv Richards at No. 2 for his destructive ability with the bat.
"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.
Chopra opined that India's Kapil Dev might have been the most expensive player had he been part of an IPL auction.
"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.
Kapil smashed 3783 runs at a strike rate of 95.07 in 198 ODI innings. The former India captain also scalped 253 wickets an economy rate of 3.71 in 221 ODI innings.