(ANI Photo)
Former Indian cricketer Aakash Chopra seemed to be poking fun at the South African cricket team for their tendency to falter in crucial matches of ICC tournaments. Despite reaching the semi-finals of the ICC Cricket World Cup last year, South Africa continues to strive for their first major international title. Their history of losing in knockout matches of major tournaments has persisted since their return to international cricket.
Despite boasting talented players, South Africa has yet to add any significant trophies to their collection. The upcoming T20 World Cup presents another opportunity for them to break this streak, but their past performances in T20 World Cup editions suggest it won’t be easy. However, their showing in the 2023 50-over World Cup may offer fans a glimmer of hope.
Aakash Chopra remarked about South Africa in alternative language.
In his latest YouTube video, Aakash Chopra delved into South Africa’s prospects in the upcoming T20 World Cup 2024, set to take place in the USA and West Indies. He began by jesting about the South African team, refraining from using the term ‘chokers,’ a moniker often associated with them due to their struggles under pressure.
Chopra pointed out that South Africa has reached the semi-finals of the T20 World Cup twice before, in 2007 and 2014, but have faltered at that stage both times. He acknowledged their consistent performance at ICC events and conceded that they possess a formidable team this time as well.
“The eternal South Africa – I won’t use the ‘C’ (choke) word. Their story has been that they have been semi-finalists twice but have never won, and their situation is like that in ICC championships. They come close many times. When you see the team, it looks good, and the team is not looking bad this time as well,” Aakash Chopra said via his YT video.
Aakash Chopra underscores South Africa’s wealth of talented players.
Aakash Chopra would then urge the South African team management to recognize the abundance of talent within their ranks. He listed several explosive batsmen such as Aiden Markram, Reeza Hendricks, David Miller, Tristan Stubbs, Quinton de Kock, Heinrich Klaasen, and Ryan Rickelton.
“If we see their batting – Aiden Markram, Reeza Hendricks, David Miller and Tristan Stubbs – I am talking about just the pure batters here. If we see the wicketkeepers – Quinton de Kock, Heinrich Klaasen and Ryan Rickelton,” Chopra added
Chopra suggests that South Africa could embrace a style of play akin to that of the SunRisers Hyderabad.
Finally, Aakash Chopra emphasized the bowling prowess within the South African squad, citing the likes of Gerald Coetzee, Keshav Maharaj, Anrich Nortje, and Kagiso Rabada, among others. With a sense of admiration, Chopra exclaimed “what a team” and suggested that they could potentially emulate the playing style of the SunRisers Hyderabad.
“Ottneil Baartman, Gerald Coetzee, Bjorn Fortuin, Keshav Maharaj, Anrich Nortje, Kagiso Rabada and Tabraiz Shamsi – what a team. Batting unit – this could be a team like Hyderabad,” Aakash Chopra concluded.
