The second half of IPL 2021 will get underway on September 19 in UAE.
Ahead of the cash-rich event, former India opener-turned-commentator Aakash Chopra has made some exciting predictions, including the Orange and Purple Cap winners, two finalists and the eventual champion.
The first half of IPL 2021 in India ended abruptly after COVID-19 positive cases emerged in the bio-bubble of multiple franchises.
29 games were played in the India-leg of the tournament, in which Delhi Capitals (DC) opener Shikhar Dhawan was the leading run-getter with 380 runs from 8 games while Royal Challengers Bangalore’s (RCB) Harshal Patel was the top wicket-taker with 17 scalps from 7 matches.
Chopra expects Dhawan to continue his good form, especially as the southpaw has been left out of India’s T20 World Cup 2021 squad and he has a point to prove.
“Shikhar Dhawan has a point to prove after being snubbed for the T20 World Cup. Batting wise, he is in a great frame of mind. I feel he will end up scoring 600 runs. KL Rahul, (331 runs) who is second, will get one more match than Dhawan in the league stage, but I don’t think Punjab Kings (PBKS) will qualify,” he said in a video posted on his Youtube channel.
Moving forward, Aakash Chopra said Harshal could struggle for wickets in the UAE-leg of IPL 2021, and predicted DC’s Avesh Khan (14) to win the Purple Cap.
Avesh was the second highest wicket-taker in the first half of IPL 2021 with 14 scalps from 8 outings.
“I feel fast bowlers will dominate in the second half as well. Don't see spinners being as successful. I am going with Avesh Khan. Harshal might go for a few runs, and might not get as many wickets. I think Avesh will end up with at least 20-22 wickets,” he said.
DC, CSK, RCB and MI were the top four teams when the IPL 2021 was suspended and according to Chopra, the same four sides would make it to the play-offs.
“Delhi, Chennai, Mumbai and RCB will qualify. Not much difference in points between MI, RR and PBKS. But MI have it in them to peak and take it away. Don't see much changes in the top four,” he opined.
Delhi Capitals were leading the points table with 6 wins from 8 games when the tournament was postponed in May, but Aakash Chopra picked MI and CSK as his two finalists.
“DC are currently table toppers, and (were) finalists last year. But I am predicting a MI vs CSK final. Don’t think DC will make it ahead of Mumbai and Chennai. And I am picking MI to win their sixth title, and complete a hat-trick. It is a very real possibility,” he concluded.