Aakash Chopra mentioned that KL Rahul has been the only consistent performer for the Delhi Capitals (DC) in the ongoing Indian Premier League (IPL) 2026. The Axar Patel-led side has only won five out of their first 12 matches and is holding on to playoff hopes by a thread.
On Sunday, May 17, they will face the Rajasthan Royals (RR) at the Arun Jaitley Stadium in Delhi in a must-win game. Ahead of the clash, Chopra urged the DC management to play Prithvi Shaw, who was roped in at his base price last
year in the auction but hasn't been given a game this season.
"There is a 199-run gap between KL Rahul and the second-highest run-scorer. It means one has gone very well, and no one else has come close. So that is one problem. Secondly, you haven't given Prithvi Shaw a single chance. You haven't kept him even in the Impact Player list. Only one batter is left, play him as well," he said on his YouTube channel.
The former India opener said that the bowling line-up of the Capitals hasn't done great either, despite the presence of experienced overseas stars like Mitchell Starc and Lungi Ngidi.
"Even in bowling, their situation is very bad. They are probably the only team in which no one has taken even 13 or 14 wickets. This team has Mitchell Starc and Lungi Ngidi, but this is your situation. You have beaten Punjab. You might beat Rajasthan as well. Play for pride. They are not out yet. If they reach 14, they might still have an opportunity," he observed.
"Don't play Dasun Shanaka" - Aakash Chopra suggests a change in RR's playing 12 for IPL 2026 clash vs DC
Chopra mentioned that RR skipper Riyan Parag might not be fully fit for the clash, despite the inaugural champions getting a length break after their win against the Gujarat Titans on May 9. The cricketer-turned-expert advised RR not to play Dasun Shanaka.
"RR will play after a long time. They played on the 1st, then on the 9th, and will now play on the 17th. I mean, this is not okay. I am hearing that Riyan Parag is still not fully fit. My suggestion for you is, don't play Dasun Shanaka," he said.
Instead of Shanaka, Chopra wants RR to go in with a genuine overseas pacer like Nandre Burger, Adam Milne, or Kwena Maphaka.
"You will have to bring in either Nandre Burger or Adam Milne, or else Kwena Maphaka. You need a pacer. Go with a proper bowler because you didn't get Dasun Shanaka to bowl, and you sent him to bat at No. 8. So that is something you will have to bear in mind," Chopra observed.
