Chopra also said he won't be surprised if Rajasthan Royals fail to qualify for the IPL 14 playoffs.
Former Indian cricketer-turned-commentator Aakash Chopra said there are few chances of Rajasthan Royals (RR) to qualify for the playoffs of the upcoming 14th edition of the Indian Premier League (IPL 2021), predicting the franchise “seems to be a mid-table team”.
He further said no one would be surprised if the inaugural champions Rajasthan Royals (RR) fail to make the playoffs in IPL 2021, saying a lot of things will need to go in their favor to qualify for the playoffs under the new captain Sanju Samson this season.
Notably, RR had finished last in the last IPL season in the UAE while they last played in playoffs in the IPL 2018, and eventually finished fourth on the table.
Chopra said on his YouTube channel, “It seems to be a mid-table team. They will qualify for the playoffs if a lot of things go in their favor. If they don't qualify, it should neither be a surprise for you nor will I be surprised because there are gaps that need plugging.”
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He further went on to predict that England wicketkeeper-batsman Jos Buttler will finish as the highest run-getter while the skipper Samson with the most number of sixes for the RR in the IPL 14.
The commentator added, “Buttler will be the highest run-getter for the Rajasthan Royals this season. He will hopefully play as an opener and will continuously open. Sanju Samson will hit the most number of sixes. He has the six-hitting ability. The first five matches are in Mumbai and then four in Delhi, the first nine matches are on small grounds. In such a scenario, Samson will put the bowlers on ransom.”
Chopra also made a bold prediction about the England all-rounder Ben Stokes ahead of the IPL 2021, saying the star cricketer will be expensive for the RR in the tournament.
He signed off, “Ben Stokes could be their most expensive bowler. There are huge chances of that. One thing is he bowls very less and whenever he bowls I have seen him getting hit a lot.”