Former Indian cricketer Aakash Chopra praised Mumbai Indians (MI) pacer Akash Madhwal for his brilliant bowling game against Lucknow Super Giants (LSG). Mumbai Indians beat Lucknow Super Giants by 81 runs in the 2023 Indian Premier League (IPL) Eliminator in Chennai on Wednesday, May 24.

Akash Madhwal cast a match-winning spell to help the team advance to the “Qualifier 2” match. The right-arm pacer picked up five wickets for just five runs in his 3.3-plus spell. The 29-year-old was awarded Man of the Match for his bowling performance, which was the best by any player in IPL playoff matches.

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Akash Madhwal did an amazing job – Aakash Chopra

In a video shared on his YouTube channel, Aakash Chopra praised Madhwal’s bowling efforts, choosing him as the game’s most valuable player.

“The sky has many stars but this sky itself is a shining star. akashmadhwal selected up to five windows and gave away only five races and this five title winning team has reached the next stage and will face the titans of gujarat in Qualifier 2 in Ahmedabad”, Aakash Chopra said.

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“What game was where Naveen-ul-Haq collected four wickets and Yash Thakur took three wickets, but some guy did a better job than that, he picked a five-wicket haul. Akash Madhwal did an amazing job. Akash Madhwal, without a doubt, is my most valuable player.” added.

Naveen-ul-Haq picked up four wickets for 38 runs, while Yash Thakur took three wickets for 34 runs in the first innings for the Lucknow Super Giants. LSG pacers restricted the Mumbai Indians to 182 runs in 20 overs.

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It was absolutely stellar – Aakash Chopra

The cricketer turned commentator highlighted that Madhwal will be effective with new and old balls with his wicket taking lines.

“What is this bowler’s specialty? He picked up four wickets in the last match where he was hitting the ball on the pads and stumps at death. He always ends his ball inside three stumps. Here with the new ball too. The new ball goes a bit away, so he bowls wicket-taking lines there too.” he continued.

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“Remember, he also fired Shubman Gill and Wriddhiman Saha. Here he fired Prerak Mankad and after that, when he came into the middle, Nicholas Pooran’s delivery was beautiful. Forget T20, a guy would also go out for that ball in a test match. He was absolutely stellar and then he came to throw the ball into the blocking hole.” He concluded.

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The Mumbai-based franchise will take on the defending champion Gujarat Titans (GT) in the “Qualifier 2” match at Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad on Friday, May 26.

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