On the 19th of December, the opulent spectacle that is the Indian Premier League auction unfolded in Dubai, showcasing the cricketing prowess of top-tier athletes. The Australian pace bowling tandem, comprising Mitchell Starc and Pat Cummins, emerged as the highest bidders, commanding staggering sums of 24.75 crores and 20.50 crores, respectively. The spectacle of wealth cascading into the IPL left Pakistani cricket enthusiasts grappling with a poignant sense of disappointment and contemplation. Against this backdrop, a widely circulated post on platform X alleges that Aakash Chopra, former Indian cricketer and esteemed commentator, posited that had Pakistan’s erstwhile captain, Babar Azam, been part of the auction, his acquisition would have commanded an astronomical figure of 75.67 crores.
Pakistan Media Economy Pk tweeted, “Babar Azam would go for 75.67 Cr if he comes to the IPL auction table: Aakash Chopra.”
Babar Azam would go for 75.67 Cr if he comes to the IPL auction table: Aakash Chopra pic.twitter.com/LLajFuPc3q
— Economy.pk (@pk_economy) December 22, 2023
The viral infographic, crafted by Economy Pk, gained widespread traction on social media platform X.
Noteworthy influencers and avid cricket enthusiasts, including individuals such as Shahayar, Muskan, King Babar Azam Army, Leo, Rapid Pakistan, and Blessed Pakistan, prominently featured and shared the said image across their platforms. The shared content asserted, with apparent endorsement from these influencers, that Aakash Chopra made the statement suggesting that Babar Azam could have commanded a staggering 75.67 crores in the IPL auction.
https://twitter.com/iam_shaharyar/status/1738432200658309258?s=46
Aakash Chopra on Babar Azam 🔥 pic.twitter.com/zhZVf2nM73
— Muskan. (@Mussskey) December 22, 2023
https://twitter.com/babarazamking_/status/1738217371121451517?s=46
https://twitter.com/iamleo8225/status/1738434098480460261?s=46
Babar Azam would go for 75.67 Cr if he comes to the IPL auction table: Aakash Chopra. #RapidPakistan pic.twitter.com/vb4Bw9Pd0K
— Rapid Pakistan (@RapidPakistan) December 22, 2023
https://twitter.com/blessedpk30/status/1738124757177160116?s=46
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Fact Check
In the initial stages of our fact-checking process, we delved into pertinent news sources in search of any verifiable statements from Aakash Chopra asserting the considerable valuation of Babar Azam in the IPL auction. Regrettably, our scrutiny yielded no such evidence in existing media reports.
Nevertheless, Aakash Chopra did take to Twitter to address the perceived disparity in remuneration between Indian and foreign players. According to Hindustan Times, he expressed the opinion that, hypothetically, if Virat Kohli and Jasprit Bumrah were to undergo the auction process, they would likely command impressive sums of 42 crores and 35 crores, respectively. It is imperative to note that certain players, for instance, Virat Kohli and Joss Buttler, often evade the auction process as they are retained by their respective franchises. This practice underscores a crucial dynamic in the IPL ecosystem.
Furthermore, a day before the auction, Jio Cinema organised a simulated (mock) bidding event in which no Pakistani players participated. It is noteworthy that post the 26/11 Mumbai attacks perpetrated by Pakistani terrorists, the Indian cricket board has imposed stringent restrictions on the involvement of Pakistani players in the Indian Premier League.
Adding to the skepticism surrounding the purported claim by Aakash Chopra, it appears incongruous that someone of his cricketing acumen would posit a valuation of 75.67 crores for Babar Azam while suggesting lower figures of 42 crores for Virat Kohli. Notably, Virat Kohli boasts a superior T20 strike rate and batting average compared to Babar Azam.
Furthermore, it’s important to note a key flaw in the Economy Pk infographic. Aakash Chopra’s predictions were not exact figures but rough estimates. For example, he approximated values of 42 and 35 crores for Virat Kohli and Jasprit Bumrah, respectively. However, Economy Pk claimed precise amounts for Babar Azam.
In summation, a meticulous examination reveals the dubious nature of the Economy Pk infographic. The absence of supporting news reports and the lack of logical coherence in Aakash Chopra’s purported statements contribute to the conclusion that the circulated claim is unfounded and fake.
| Claim | Aakash Chopra said that Babar Azam would have bagged an enormous amount of 75.67 crores in IPL |
| Claimed by | Economy Pk and other Pakistani X users |
| Fact Check | Fake |
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