Aakash Chopra said of the Gujarat Titans’ defeat to the Lucknow Super Giants, “It’s concerning to see the top order lose steam at the business end.”

Aakash Chopra, a former cricket player for India, shared his thoughts on the difficulties the IPL 2022 winners would have as they prepare for the playoffs. In their most recent home game at the Narendra Modi Stadium in Motera, the Gujarat Titans (GT), one of the favourites in the IPL 2025 (Indian Premier League), suffered a shocking 33-run loss to the Lucknow Super Giants (LSG).

It was one of the few times in the game that the Titans’ top three hitters failed to go deep, leaving the middle order utterly exposed. According to Aakash Chopra, this might be a significant problem for the Shubman Gill-led team because playoff teams’ bowling assaults will be more difficult, and it is quite concerning to see the top order falter in the closing stages. Aakash Chopra said that the squad will suffer a serious setback in the forthcoming playoff games because to the unavailability of Jos Buttler, one of their in-form hitters.

After the playoffs, Jos Buttler will go, and Kusal Mendis will take his place at number three. Rutherford and Shahrukh are under more strain as a result. They performed admirably today and managed to keep GT in the match, but the more important question is: how good was the bowling they encountered? Chopra stated in an exclusive JioHotstar interview.

“The bar rises throughout the playoffs. This season, Rahul Tewatia hasn’t had much of an influence. Additionally, for the second consecutive game (GT defeated the Delhi Capitals by 10 wickets), none of GT’s top three players reached 50, something that hadn’t happened all season. Seeing the top order falter at the business end is concerning,” he continued.

On Mitchell Marsh’s game-winning century, Aakash Chopra

The LSG batters were successful, but the GT batters failed to get their team across the finish line. Mitchell Marsh, who produced his first IPL century to lead his team to an incredible 235-2 total, was the player who stole the show. The Australian opener, who was one of the Delhi Capitals’ major acquisitions, made a fantastic return following a lacklustre season the previous year, according to Aakash Chopra.

“He was a steal, and sometimes that makes you angry.” He had a high price tag and few returns in the past. He has entered in a different manner this year. He hits the ball well on the Ekana pitch. What about his ass? They stay hit when he hits. The choice of shots has also enhanced. “He’s displaying true class,” Chopra said.