Aakash Chopra predicts a lucrative IPL bid for Australian captain Pat Cummins but foresees a lackluster 2024 season due to prevailing favoritism toward Australian players. He expresses doubts about Mitchell Starc's appeal due to past injuries limiting his IPL appearances since 2015, impacting his market value with potential mid-tournament exits.
Chopra anticipates a substantial deal for sidelined South African bowler Gerald Coetzee and highlights uncapped all-rounder Shahrukh Khan, India's Shardul Thakur, and New Zealand's Daryl Mitchell as promising prospects.
Shahrukh Khan's release from Punjab could trigger a significant bid, especially from Delhi Capitals. Shardul's dual role as an Indian fast bowler and all-rounder adds value, while Mitchell's skill against spin might attract teams seeking lower-order stability. Overall, Chopra's insights indicate varying potentialities in the IPL auction, with certain players poised for high bids while facing performance concerns for the upcoming season.
Key Points:
1. India saw a reduction in merchandise trade deficit to $20.58 billion in November, mainly influenced by decreased gold and oil imports, according to recent government data.
2. Despite a moderate decline of 2.8%, exports amounted to $33.90 billion, compared to $34.89 billion from the previous year.
3. Overall imports experienced a 4.3% decrease, reaching $54.48 billion compared to $56.95 billion in the same period last year.
4. Gold imports notably dropped by almost half, registering $3.45 billion in November, down from $7.2 billion in October.
5. Oil imports fell by 22% to $13.71 billion due to declining crude prices, while electronic goods imports also decreased by nearly 17% to $6.49 billion.
6. Data from April to November showcased a 6.51% contraction in exports, totaling $278.8 billion, while imports for the eight-month period decreased by 8.67% to $445.15 billion.
7. Despite global economic slowdown and geopolitical tensions like the Russia-Ukraine conflict and Israel-Palestine situation, India's exports have shown resilience, according to Commerce Secretary Sunil Barthwal.
8. October's trade numbers indicated a 6.21% increase in merchandise exports, totaling $33.57 billion, yet the trade deficit widened to a record $31.46 billion.
9. Barthwal expressed optimism about surpassing the previous year's figures, citing positive indicators seen in October's trade numbers.
10. External factors like the global economic slowdown and geopolitical uncertainties continue to impact exports, posing challenges despite India's export resilience amid adverse conditions.
(With Agency Inputs)
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