‘If an Indian batter had done that, we would have talked about his attitude’ – Aakash Chopra analyses Liam Livingstone’s mode of dismissal against PBKS

Navdeep Saini and Liam Livingstone. (Photo Source: Twitter/Jio Cinema)

Cricketer turned broadcaster, Aakash Chopra has criticised the attitude of Liam Livingstone for his shot selection in Punjab Kings’ (PBKS) must-win encounter (match no. 66) against Rajasthan Royals (RR). Eventually, RR won the clash and by virtue of the same, they have kept their chances of qualifying for the playoffs alive. PBKS’ four-wicket defeat at the hands of Rajasthan, has knocked them out of the tournament.

The 45-year-old went on to question Livingstone’s frame of mind while he was trying an ambitious hoick and got bowled off the bowling of Navdeep Saini. Following his dismissal, the England batter was seen smiling as he went out of the field.

While reviewing the game on his YouTube channel, Chopra questioned the 29-year-old batter’s attitude and even pointed out that if an Indian batter would have done the same then everyone would have talked about his attitude.

“The shot Liam Livingstone played and then walked away laughing and didn’t come out to field, if an Indian batter had done that, we would have talked about his attitude. It slightly defines how your season has been.” Chopra said.

The former Indian player also highlighted that PBKS’ performance and fielding effort on the field in the game against RR, pretty much summed up the campaign that they had in IPL 2023. Though there are some positives that the franchise would take back, someone like Jitesh Sharma who has batted beautifully in the tournament by chipping in with crucial runs when the team needed.

‘There were plenty of performers but the best was Shimron Hetmyer’ – Chopra

The cricketer-turned-commentator also picked Shimron Hetmyer as his Most Valuable Player (MVP). Hetmyer blasted 46 runs off 28 deliveries with 4 boundaries and 3 sixes to his name. The West Indies batter’s innings was really crucial in the context of the game.

“Who is the most valuable player? I will again go with Shimron Hetmyer. I am going with everyone’s choice. I could have talked about Navdeep Saini as well – he picked up three crucial wickets, Yashasvi Jaiswal’s fifty, or Jitesh Sharma’s runs,” the former Indian opener added.