Cummins will get big money in IPL auction, but his performance will be lackluster: Aakash Chopra

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New Delhi. Former Indian cricketer Aakash Chopra believes that Australia captain Pat Cummins could fetch a good amount of money in the upcoming IPL auction to be held in Dubai on December 19, but he also said that the fast bowler will not be able to play in the 2024 season of the tournament. Performance will be affected.

Cummins, who led Australia to the World Test Championship and ODI World Cup titles, played for Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) in IPL 2022, before skipping the 2023 season due to international commitments. Cummins has kept his base price at Rs 2 crore for the IPL 2024 player auction.

Chopra said on GeoCinema’s daily sports show ‘#Aakashvani’, “I am saying for Pat Cummins because there has been a prejudice against Australians recently. You see a lot of support staff from Australia. So just keep an eye on where you have Australian coaches. This is an initial decision, he will be sold for a lot of money, but his performance in IPL may not be that good. This is my initial prediction. ,

He also feels that Cummins’s teammate, left-arm fast bowler Mitchell Starc, may not be much liked by teams due to his injury record which has seen him miss the IPL since 2015.

“Teams can spend Rs 10-12 crore on him provided they talk to him beforehand and seek assurance that he will not miss IPL 2024. The only thing that goes against him is that he leaves the tournament midway or doesn’t come at all.

He also believes that South African fast bowler Gerald Coetzee will be keenly eyed by ten franchises. “South Africa didn’t play him in the last match, but I can guarantee he is ready for a million dollar contract. Even if Starc misses out, I think Coetzee is assured of a big contract.

Chopra believes that other players who will be on the players’ radar are uncapped all-rounder Shah Rukh Khan, as well as India all-rounder Shardul Thakur and New Zealand batsman Daryl Mitchell. “There’s something in that name! It is going to be a blockbuster. Punjab released him (Shahrukh) and now he can get Rs 10-11 crore. Delhi Capitals can do everything possible for him because I think they don’t have anyone who can bat well in the lower order.

“This is because Shardul is an Indian fast bowler and all-rounder. I would also pick Daryl Mitchell because many teams will need a batsman who can play spin lower down the order.

–IANS

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