Aakash Chopra questions Jimmy Neesham’s selection, gets stinging reply from Kiwi all-rounder

When the wheels of the Indian Premier League, the yearly cricketing gala, start rolling, social media is the place to be to catch some feisty action that well transcends off the field. This year has been no different. 

On Saturday, a back-and-forth banter unfolded on Twitter between New Zealand all-rounder James Neesham and former Indian cricketer Aakash Chopra. 

Neesham, who made his debut for Kings XI Punjab on September 27, scored 8 runs and leaked 52 runs from his 4 overs in the game against Mumbai Indians and while facing Rajasthan, he picked up only a wicket for 40 runs and did not get a chance to bat.

The Punjab side went on to lose both the matches, following which cricketer-turned-pundit Aakash Chopra questioned KXIP’s decision to play Neesham instead of Afghanistani mystery spinner Mujeeb Ur Rahman, who has been with the Punjab franchise since 2018 and asked the management to fix the playing XI.

“They 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,” Chopra said on his Youtube channel.

However, a fan ended up asking Neesham for his views on an article mentioning Chopra’s comments.

Known for his quirky responses and tweets, Neesham was quick to respond.

“Averaging 18.5 striking at 90 doesn’t win many matches either,” Neesham replied to the tweet, taking a dig at Chopra’s own penurious T20 career numbers.

However, Chopra remarked: “Correct my friend. That’s why nobody picks me anymore. I get paid for doing something else. I’m glad that you don’t have an issue with my observations but with my cricket stats. Go well for the rest of the #IPL.”

After losing their last two games, Kings XI Punjab have dropped down to 7th place in the points table. Next, they face Chennai Super Kings at the Dubai International Cricket Stadium and Neesham will be on the prowl to carry some of his social media form on to the match.