Cricketer-turned-commentator Aakash Chopra, while talking about the first match of IPL 2021 between RCB and MI, said that the box-office contest will be between Virat Kohli and ace pacer Jasprit Bumrah.
Indian premier league (IPL) 2021 is set to begin from today evening (9th April). Two heavyweights, Mumbai Indians (MI) and Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) will kick start the tournament at Chennai.
Virat Kohli is coming into IPL 14 on account of successful limited-overs series against England while ace pacer Jasprit Bumrah would be eager to return after the break he took from cricket for his marriage.
Both Virat Kohli and Jasprit Bumrah have mainstays of their respective franchises. However, over the years, the MI pacer has had an upper hand over RCB’s skipper in IPL as Kohli was Bumrah’s maiden and 100th scalp in marquee tournament.
IPL 2021: He should get 2-3 wickets in every match- Aakash Chopra predicts the Purple Cap winner
In a video shared on his YouTube channel, Aakash Chopra picked Jasprit Bumrah versus Virat Kohli as a contest to watch out for.
"The contest to watch out for, I mean the box-office contest which you will pay to watch is the best vs best and that is Bumrah vs Kohli. Kohli is coming in good form while Bumrah is coming after a break,” Aakash Chopra said in a video posted on his YouTube Channel.
Aakash Chopra recalled how Bumrah has managed to get ‘under the skin’ of the RCB skipper. He also pointed out that Kohli has got out to him while playing the pull shot.
“Kohli will be opening the batting and Bumrah will be in front of him with the new ball. It is an interesting contest because Bumrah has managed to get under the skin of Kohli. As soon as Kohli comes to bat, the (Mumbai Indians) captain Rohit gives Bumrah the ball and he bowls bouncers and has got him out two-three times while playing the pull shot," he said.
Aakash Chopra further said that Virat Kohli has tried to hit Bumrah and has got out while playing a bad shot. He added that’s the contest he will be looking forward to.
"Generally Virat does not get out like that, he keeps his ego aside. But against Bumrah he has tried to hit him and got out while playing a bad shot. So, that's the contest I am looking forward to watch," he concluded.
