"Kolkata and Delhi need an opener" - Aakash Chopra on importance of IND vs SA 2025 T20Is for South African players ahead of IPL 2026 auction

Former India player Aakash Chopra has noted that the first three T20Is against the Men in Blue ahead of the IPL 2026 auction are hugely significant for the South African players. He opined that Quinton de Kock would be one of the Proteas players in focus, pointing out that the Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) and the Delhi Capitals (DC) need an opener.

India and South Africa will square off in a five-match T20I series, with the first game to be played in Cuttack on Tuesday, December 9. The first three games will be played before the IPL 2026 auction to be held in Abu Dhabi on December 16.

In a video shared on his YouTube channel, 'Aakash Chopra,' the former India opener named De Kock as one of the South African players for whom the first three T20Is would be crucial from the IPL 2026 auction perspective.

"The auction is on the 16th, and three matches will be played by then. Whoever does well in those three matches, their price will skyrocket suddenly. Many players don't have a contract, and they can come in the contract list," Chopra said. (6:15)

"The first name that comes to my mind is Quinton de Kock. He struck an ODI century just now. If he plays well here, many teams need a keeper-batter and opener. Kolkata and Delhi need an opener. No one will feel bad if they get him. I feel it could be a very important series for Quinton de Kock," he added.

Apart from KKR and DC, Aakash Chopra noted that the Gujarat Titans (GT) might also be interested in acquiring Quinton de Kock. He highlighted that the IPL 2022 champions, who have four overseas slots vacant, would not get a better backup for Jos Buttler.

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"Every team needs players who can bat at No. 6 and No. 7" - Aakash Chopra on David Miller heading into IND vs SA 2025 T20Is ahead of IPL 2026 auction

David Miller was released by the Lucknow Super Giants ahead of the IPL 2026 auction. [P/C: Getty]

In the same video, Aakash Chopra noted that virtually every franchise, including the Chennai Super Kings (CSK) and KKR, would have a keen eye on David Miller.

"It could be a very important series for David Miller because his name has been lost slightly in the darkness of oblivion. Lucknow let him go, but he is a good player, and every team needs players who can bat at No. 6 and No. 7, from Chennai Super Kings to Kolkata Knight Riders," he said. (7:15)

The cricketer-turned-commentator added that the Rajasthan Royals (RR) and GT might look at Miller as a backup for Shimron Hetmyer and Glenn Phillips, respectively.

"Even Delhi, or else Rajasthan, a backup for Shimron, or else Gujarat Titans, from where he used to play earlier, a backup for Glenn Phillips. Every team needs him. There are huge chances of him being sold expensive," Chopra observed.

Aakash Chopra named Lungi Ngidi and George Linde as two other South African players who would want to showcase their credentials ahead of the IPL 2026 auction. To conclude, he noted that the first three T20Is between India and South Africa would be a virtual audition for the auction.