"I put my hand up and say that I wasn't convinced" - Aakash Chopra picks SRH skipper Pat Cummins as the best captain in IPL 2024

Aakash Chopra has chosen SunRisers Hyderabad (SRH) skipper Pat Cummins as the best captain in IPL 2024. He has acknowledged that the Australian Test and ODI skipper proved him wrong with his leadership skills in the ongoing edition of the prestigious league.

SRH defeated the Punjab Kings (PBKS) by four wickets in their final league game in Hyderabad on Sunday, May 19. The win, clubbed with the day's second game between the Rajasthan Royals (RR) and the Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) in Guwahati getting washed out, helped them book a berth in Qualifier 1.

In a video shared on his YouTube channel, Chopra was asked to pick the best captain of IPL 2024.

"It is difficult for me to go beyond Pat Cummins. I put my hand up and say that I wasn't convinced. I am saying he is the best captain because the bowling resources weren't that good. This team has conceded runs. However, the way he has marshaled his resources and the calmness with which he has spoken," he responded (11:30).

"There are a few examples. He reached the Chinnaswamy ground and he was asked how many runs. He said 300 and SRH made 287 that night. So they came so close. Then in yesterday's post-match presentation, Harsha (Bhogle) told him about the rain in Guwahati. He said - 'That's too bad'. He is genuine and is saying what he is thinking," the former India opener added.

SRH bought Cummins for a whopping ₹20.50 crore at the IPL 2024 auction. They subsequently named him their skipper, a move that has yielded rich dividends for last season's bottom-placed team.

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"The biggest difference is the philosophy" - Aakash Chopra on the reason behind SRH's turnaround in IPL 2024

Aakash Chopra was also asked about the reason behind the SunRisers Hyderabad's turnaround in IPL 2024.

"The biggest difference is the philosophy. It's easy to say that you can go and continuously hit but it doesn't happen because there is the danger of getting out in that. It's a high-risk game. You always need a lot of investment of faith from the team management when you play a high-risk game," he replied (8:55).

The renowned commentator credited Pat Cummins, Travis Head and Daniel Vettori's Australian approach for the team's success.

"The batting philosophy this team has made this time says you shouldn't turn back and see and that there is just aggression on our minds. They might get stuck someday, get bowled out for 125, but they go with the thought of brushing that aside whenever that happens," Chopra said.

"So the biggest change has been the philosophy, the Australian style of playing - Pat Cummins, Travis Head, and Daniel Vettori, who has an Australian connection, being their coach and all. They have just gelled very well together," the former KKR player added.

Chopra cited Virender Sehwag's success as India's Test opener to substantiate his point. He noted that Sourav Ganguly gave him the freedom to express himself at the top of the order and not bother about the repercussions if he failed.