Former Indian opening batter and commentator Aakash Chopra has asserted that the Lucknow Super Giants(LSG) could be one of the franchises that would be interested in acquiring the services of the West Indies captain Shai Hope.
Speaking on his YouTube channel, Chopra reckoned that Hope could be a perfect batter to take up the opening slot or No.3 position if Nicholas Pooran isn’t retained by the franchise. Notably, Hope scored an unbeaten century in the 250-run chase in the second T20I against India in the ongoing five-match series.
“He batted in the middle-order for the Delhi Capitals. This is not his ideal place, and I feel he is good as an opener. Which teams need an opener who can also keep wickets? Lucknow Super Giants have released Rishabh Pant, and if Nicholas Pooran is released and they want Hardik Pandya, the LSG could become a team,” Chopra said.
“Hope can keep wickets and bat at the top of the order because the team hasn’t used Aiden Markram consistently as an opener. If Shai can bat at No.3 or if he opens the innings and Markram comes at No.3, I see that as two options,” he added.
Further, Chopra asserted that the Shubman Gill-led Gujarat Titans could be another franchise that could acquire Hope’s services. In 70 T20I innings, Hope has scored 1897 runs at a strike rate of 139.69.
“Gujarat Titans are another franchise that comes to my mind. They can sign Shai Hope if Tom Banton is not retained. Although he might find it tough to break into the starting XI, this is the second franchise that might look at Hope,” Chopra noted.
