The Betway ambassador reflects on Jofra Archer’s latest setback, discusses the future of MS Dhoni, and praises two of India’s young stars.
Jofra should consider franchise contract
I’m gutted for Jofra. Absolutely gutted. I think this will probably end his journey with English cricket.
I know that there are reports around a franchise contract, and that would be the smartest thing for him to do now. Take six months to recover, select a few tournaments to play, and bowl at the speed of light for a few months of the year. He would earn good money and still have a career in the game.
I think the longer form of the game has passed him by. I think English cricket has probably passed him by. It’s no fault of his own, he’s just injury prone. As much as he would love to play for England, because I know that’s his dream, it’s probably finished.
He should now just go and cash in as much as he can in franchise cricket. But first of all, get himself fit.
I’d be surprised if Dhoni retires
I was there for Dhoni’s lap of honour on Sunday, and it was incredible to see how the stadium stayed completely full.
I’d be extremely surprised if this is his last season. I think this impact player rule actually helps him tremendously, where he can keep for 20 overs and bat wherever he wants to bat.
He makes the team better with the decisions he makes as a captain, and his keeping has been tremendous. It’s not like he takes a batting position up, because he tends to come in at seven, eight or nine to whack a few deliveries.
He’ll have the opportunity for eight or nine months of rest, sort his knee out, and get himself fit and ready for another season.
I hope it’s not the last we see of Dhoni, and I know everybody in the country would want him to play another season.
India have two stars on their hands
We’re seeing the future of the India top order in Shubman Gill and Yashasvi Jaiswal.
I would really strongly look at Jaiswal for the 50-over World Cup. I’d blood him and let him go. I think 50 overs is going to be a thing of the past in the not-too-distant future, but I’d get him into the squad straight away.
The IPL gives young players three things. It gives them the opportunity to play, it gives them the visibility of the fans around the world, and it gives them the composure to be able to perform in the highest intensity of battle. Stadiums are full, everything’s busy, and it’s high intensity.
If you come through that and tick all three boxes, then you’re destined to play international sport. That’s what I’ve seen from these two youngsters in particular, they’re stars. They’re not just hit and miss cricketers, they’re absolute quality.
RCB were crazy to let Chahal go
It’s not surprising to see Yuzi Chahal become the top wicket-taker of all time in the IPL.
I faced him at the start of his career, I’ve watched him throughout, and I’ve commentated a lot on RCB games when he was the guy that actually got them back into games, took wickets, slowed run rates, and was their star performer.
I think the two craziest decisions in the whole history of the IPL were Chahal and Rashid Khan being let go by their franchises. It was just crazy, absolutely crazy. I’m still dumbfounded by those decisions.
Chahal can just keep getting better and better. He is a fabulous bowler, a smart bowler. He understands conditions, when to bowl faster, when to bowl slower. He gives the ball a spin, and he’s difficult to get.
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