"KGF's real test will be against this bowling unit" - Aakash Chopra on RCB's IPL 2023 clash vs Gujarat Titans
Aakash Chopra reckons the Gujarat Titans (GT) bowling will be the severest test for the Royal Challengers Bangalore's (RCB) batting trio of Virat Kohli, Glenn Maxwell and Faf du Plessis.
The two sides square off in the final league game of IPL 2023 at the Chinnaswamy Stadium in Bengaluru on Sunday (May 21). RCB will hope that their three most prominent batters are at the top of their game to help them secure a place in the playoffs.
While previewing the game in a video shared on his YouTube channel, Chopra pointed out that RCB, and Kohli, Maxwell and Du Plessis, in particular, have a tough task ahead of them:
"If Mumbai win, the pressure will be on Bangalore because they will have to necessarily win the match. Bangalore have the No. 1 team of the tournament in front of them, that's Gujarat."
The former Indian opener added:
"It will be an interesting one how KGF play against their bowling. The expectation is that the pitch will be extremely flat, but KGF's real test will be against this bowling unit, which will have Mohammad Shami, Mohit Sharma, Noor Ahmad, Rashid Khan and Hardik Pandya might be seen bowling."
Mohammad Shami and Rashid Khan, with 23 scalps apiece, are the joint-highest wicket-takers in the ongoing edition of the Indian Premier League. Mohit Sharma (17) and Noor Ahmad (11) are the other Gujarat Titans bowlers to have picked up more than 10 wickets.
"They are not going to give any favours" - Aakash Chopra feels Gujarat Titans will not rest anyone
Aakash Chopra feels the Gujarat Titans will not help the Royal Challengers Bangalore's cause by resting their main players:
"Gujarat have reached here after qualifying in the last match, and I don't think they are going to rest anyone. They are not going to give any favours. You can ask Shami to rest, but why would you do that because Shami is a rhythm bowler."
The reputed commentator expects an even contest if the defending champions field a full-strength side:
"Rashid is also a rhythm bowler, and Shubman Gill just has to score runs. He is not fielding in any case because of his injured hand. Wriddhiman Saha and Sai Sudharsan, and then Hardik Pandya has to score runs. No one is going to rest. If no one rests, this match is actually hanging in the balance."
Chopra acknowledged that RCB would be the hungrier side. However, he pointed out that the Gujarat Titans are the better unit and would not want to enter the playoffs with a loss.