"We are worried about India" - Aakash Chopra on Arshdeep Singh's indifferent spell in Punjab Kings' IPL 2024 loss to Mumbai Indians

Aakash Chopra reckons Arshdeep Singh's indifferent performance in the Punjab Kings' (PBKS) IPL 2024 clash against the Mumbai Indians (MI) would worry India heading into the T20 World Cup.

Arshdeep went wicketless and conceded 35 runs in his three overs as the Mumbai Indians set the Punjab Kings a 193-run target in Mullanpur on Thursday, April 18. The visitors then bowled Sam Curran and company out for 183 to register a narrow nine-run win.

Reviewing the game in a video shared on his YouTube channel, Chopra expressed concern over Arshdeep's lack of rhythm and pace.

"Harshal Patel picked up three wickets because he likes such pitches where the ball grips the surface when you roll your fingers over it. I am slightly disappointed with Arshdeep. It seemed like he wasn't bowling that fast. The rhythm and sharpness were not seen," he said (3:40).

"It is a worry. Whatever happens to Punjab, so be it, we are worried about India. He is our second bowler for the T20 World Cup. (Jasprit) Bumrah from one end and Arsh has to bowl from the other end. So if Arsh has to do that, his rhythm is very critical for me and he didn't look in that rhythm," the former India opener added.

Arshdeep Singh has picked up nine wickets in seven games for PBKS in IPL 2024. However, he has been quite expensive, conceding an average of 9.53 runs per over.

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"Suryakumar Yadav likes Punjab a lot" - Aakash Chopra lauds Mumbai Indians batter's knock

Suryakumar Yadav smashed 78 runs off 53 deliveries. [P/C: iplt20.com]

Reflecting on the Mumbai Indians' batting, Aakash Chopra praised Suryakumar Yadav for continuing his good run against the Punjab Kings.

"Ishan Kishan - it wasn't a wicket-taking ball. He hit a wide ball straight into deep point's hands. SKY came to join Rohit Sharma. Suryakumar Yadav likes Punjab a lot. He has scored more than 50 in his last three innings against them. Whenever he comes in front of Punjab, he hits fours and sixes very well," he said (2:40).

The reputed commentator noted that the unconventional batter played his trademark shots and put the bowlers in a fix.

"He played some scoop shots - typical Surya-Namaskar shots. He also hit over cover. When he is in this kind of form, it's difficult for you to figure out where and how to bowl., and how to survive, because then he starts playing the field. Behind the wickets is his territory. He scores a lot of runs there and did that once again," Chopra elaborated.

Suryakumar Yadav struck seven fours and three sixes in his 78-run knock. He added 81 runs for the second wicket with Rohit Sharma (36 off 25) after the Mumbai Indians lost Ishan Kishan's wicket off the first ball of the third over.