"Will both of them be seen playing together?" - Aakash Chopra on potential CSK-DC trade ahead of IPL 2027 auction

Former India player Aakash Chopra has opined that the Chennai Super Kings (CSK) could have slight problems if they acquire Axar Patel and Ashutosh Sharma from the Delhi Capitals (DC) in exchange for Dewald Brevis and Noor Ahmad. He questioned whether Axar and Akeal Hosein could play together, since they bring similar skills.

CSK have already done a trade deal with the SunRisers Hyderabad (SRH) ahead of the IPL 2027 auction. They gave Khaleel Ahmed and Nathan Ellis to the Hyderabad-based franchise and acquired Liam Livingstone and Jack Edwards in return.

In a video shared on his YouTube channel, 'Aakash Chopra,' the former India opener was asked whether CSK acquiring Axar and Ashutosh from DC and giving Brevis and Noor in return would be a good trade and if the five-time champions could go with an all-Indian batting core in such a scenario.

"Sanju Samson, Ruturaj Gaikwad, Ayush Mhatre, Urvil Patel, Shivam Dube, Ashutosh Sharma, Kartik Sharma, and Axar Patel - this is a strong batting lineup, followed by Jamie Overton. Axar Patel as a bowler, of course, Anshul Kamboj, and Mukesh Choudhary. However, they have let fast bowlers go as well. They have released Nathan Ellis," Chopra responded.

"So, they will have to shop for fast bowlers. Will it not become slightly tight? Will the bowling not get compromised too much? Axar and Akeal are similar kind of bowlers. Will both of them be seen playing together? That is a big question. If Noor goes and Brevis goes along with him, there will be slight problems, although I have also heard about this trade," he added.

Akeal Hosein played seven games for the Chennai Super Kings in IPL 2026, picking up eight wickets at an economy rate of 8.02. CSK also have Prashant Veer as a left-arm spin-bowling all-rounder, who might be released if they acquire Axar Patel from the Delhi Capitals.

"What is Delhi doing?" - Aakash Chopra on DC potentially acquiring Noor Ahmad from CSK

In the same video, Aakash Chopra wondered whether it would be right for the Delhi Capitals to acquire Noor Ahmad from the Chennai Super Kings, considering they have already acquired another wrist-spinner in Zeeshan Ansari from the SunRisers Hyderabad.

"What is Delhi doing? They have taken Zeeshan Ansari, and if they take Noor Ahmad, this will be an extremely interesting trade. I am also hearing that this could happen, but we will wait and watch," he said.

The cricketer-turned-commentator also questioned whether CSK are prepared to play an all-Indian batting lineup, highlighting that they don't have a great overseas bowling contingent either.

"Are Chennai actually ready to play with an entire Indian batting lineup? I don't know. They don't have too many overseas bowlers either, because Ellis has gone, and Noor would also go. Spencer Johnson is not a great T20 bowler. They will release Zak Foulkes, and I am not sure whether they will retain Matt Henry. Jamie Overton is brilliant, but if this happens, it will be a very, very interesting trade," Chopra observed.

However, Aakash Chopra acknowledged that the Delhi Capitals would have to release one or two of Ashutosh Sharma, Sameer Rizvi, and Nitish Rana. He added that the Delhi-based franchise would have to talk to either the Gujarat Titans (GT) or the Lucknow Super Giants (LSG) to ask for bowlers in return.

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