Former India cricketer Aakash Chopra has raised questions over the captaincy of Suryakumar Yadav following Mumbai Indians’ performance against Delhi Capitals, particularly highlighting the underutilisation of key bowler Deepak Chahar.

Chopra pointed out that Chahar, who provided an early breakthrough by dismissing KL Rahul in the very first over, was surprisingly not allowed to complete his full quota of four overs. Instead, the pacer was restricted to just two overs, a decision Chopra believes cost Mumbai Indians crucial control during the innings.

In contrast, Chopra heaped praise on Axar Patel for his sharp and tactical captaincy for Delhi Capitals. He noted how Axar made calculated bowling changes based on match-ups, including removing Mukesh Kumar after a successful spell and bringing himself into the attack at the right moment. He also commended the use of Lungi Ngidi and Vipraj Nigam to maintain pressure through the powerplay.

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According to Chopra, Axar’s decisions showcased a clear understanding of game situations and resource management, which played a key role in restricting Mumbai Indians to 162/6 in their 20 overs. His proactive approach, especially in adapting to changing match-ups, stood out as a defining factor in Delhi Capitals’ bowling performance.

On the other hand, Chopra was critical of Suryakumar’s handling of Chahar, emphasising that unlike Mukesh Kumar’s case, there was no strong tactical reason to hold Chahar back. He argued that Chahar, being a new-ball specialist and less effective in death overs, should have been used more aggressively upfront.

The analysis underscores the growing importance of tactical captaincy in the Indian Premier League, where small decisions—such as bowler rotation and match-up awareness—can significantly influence outcomes. Chopra’s remarks add to the ongoing scrutiny of leadership strategies as teams look to optimise performance in a highly competitive tournament.

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