IPL 2020: Jimmy Neesham hits back at Aakash Chopra after criticism

Kings XI Punjab (KXIP) and New Zealand all-rounder Jimmy Neesham has hit back and taken a dig at former Indian cricketer and commentator Aakash Chopra on his Twitter handle after Chopra had questioned the New Zealander’s place in the KXIP line-up.

Neesham, playing for the first time in the IPL since 2014 (he played for Delhi Daredevils) and he is yet to make a significant contribution for KXIP. In the three games that he has played for KXIP, he has picked up just one wicket and scored seven runs.

Neesham takes a dig at Aakash Chopra

Aakash Chopra on his YouTube channel said, “First thing is that Kings XI Punjab is not playing the right team. Honestly, they are the only team in the world where Mujeeb is not able to make it to the playing XI after being in the squad. They (KXIP) play Neesham, an overseas fast bowler, who neither bowls in the powerplay nor in the death overs. He is neither a great finisher nor a big batsman who bats in the top four or five. So why is Kings XI Punjab playing him? You are playing a player who is not really a match-winner“

This comment was brought to Neesham’s attention by a fan on Twitter. Neesham responded strongly to the criticism by referring to Aakash Chopra’s career average and strike-rate and saying such numbers won’t win games. He said, “Averaging 18.5 striking at 90 doesn’t win any matches either” with laughing emojis to accompany his tweet.

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