Mumbai: Speaking exclusively on Kuhl Fans Match Centre Live on JioHotstar, JioStar expert Sanjay Bangar praised the calm approach of MS Dhoni and the impact of Shivam Dube in steering the chase during a crucial middle-order stand:
“He definitely got it right and was well supported by Shivam Dube from the other end. With not much batting left after the pair of Dube and Dhoni, they had to play conservatively. Shivam took the risks, while MS rotated the strike smartly and waited for the bowlers to make mistakes. That’s been his template, and he’s stuck to it despite everything he’s gone through this season. CSK needed him again—just like in that win against LSG. You simply can’t count him out. In two of CSK’s three recent wins, he’s been the key in those last-over finishes.”
Aakash Chopra on Chennai Super Kings’ auction strategy, highlighting their conviction in backing Noor Ahmed:
“When you look at the auction, CSK may have got a few things wrong, but one thing they got absolutely spot on was Noor Ahmed. There was a bit of a bidding battle with Gujarat Titans—GT even tried to RTM him—but CSK were determined. They were ready to spend big because they really wanted Noor. I remember his first game, it was against Mumbai, where he picked up three or four wickets and helped CSK win. He’s taken another four-wicket haul since then. In a 14-game season, you’ll have your ups and downs, but Noor looks like someone who’s here to stay. And one thing that never changes with CSK is their loyalty—if they invest in a player and believe he can take the franchise forward, they stick with him. Noor is definitely one of those players.”
Aakash Chopra discussed KKR’s slim yet persistent hopes of qualifying for the TATA IPL playoffs:
“Never say never. Even with a 0.1% chance, it’s not over yet. As improbable as it seems, if there’s still a chance, you keep fighting. Sport teaches you to never give up. By the next game, others might be out of contention, but while hope remains, KKR will push for it. They face tough fixtures ahead—SRH away and RCB away. While SRH is near the bottom, they have match-winners, and RCB will be keen to finish the season with a double. KKR’s game against RCB will be a crucial one.”
Sanjay Bangar lauded CSK’s knack for unearthing young talent:
“Very impressive—it clearly shows Urvil Patel has a sound temperament. To come in and make an immediate impact is a remarkable talent to have. And because he keeps wickets, you wonder if MS sees something in him that could eventually lead to him being CSK’s long-term wicketkeeper and also someone who can bat in key positions. It’s a big positive for CSK. Urvil Patel was signed late in the season, and after giving Rasheed a fair run, they handed Urvil an opportunity—and he made an immediate impact. It reminded me of the kind of debut Ayush Mhatre had for them.”
Sanjay Bangar reflected on Rohit Sharma’s leadership style:
“Every captain has a different style, and Rohit Sharma’s has been that of an elder brother—approachable and supportive. Players felt comfortable opening up to him, and he backed youngsters like Nitish Reddy, who flourished under his leadership. Rohit’s true contribution goes beyond just match tactics—it’s in grooming the next generation. Just like Ganguly was known for backing Harbhajan and Sehwag, Rohit’s faith in players like Rishabh Pant or Nitish Reddy may one day be seen as a defining legacy of his Test captaincy.”
Reflecting on Rohit Sharma’s retirement from Test cricket, Aakash Chopra praised his transformation as a red-ball opener:
“Rohit Sharma might be the last of that generation to lead India across all three formats—an era that’s clearly behind us now. What stood out about Rohit was the calmness he brought and his belief in continuity, especially with Rahul Dravid as coach. His second innings as a Test opener changed everything. He adapted his game—learning to leave, defend, and stay disciplined—traits not natural to an aggressive batter like him. From a T20 star to a one-day legend, he figured out how to succeed in the toughest job in cricket: opening in Tests, especially in places like England. It takes rare discipline to make that shift—and Rohit did it brilliantly.”
