India gets high praises from Aakash Chopra. They’ve got their first-ever Test victory in Cape Town against South Africa, truly making history.
The visitors claimed a 98-run lead in the first innings. On the second Test’s second day, Thursday, January 4, they struck out the Proteas at 176. With only 79 runs left in the fourth innings, Rohit Sharma’s team secured it. They wrapped up the series evenly with seven wickets leftover.
In a video posted on his YouTube account, Chopra noted that India won their first Test match at Newlands despite the field’s hazardous conditions. He clarified:
“India have won. We have broken the jinx. We have won in Cape Town. Who was saying that we can’t win? I mean, we hadn’t won till now but have won now, and interestingly enough, won on a very bad pitch.”
Aakash Chopra
The former opener for India commended Jasprit Bumrah for demonstrating his skill once more. He declared:
“Jasprit Bumrah is a phenomenal bowler. It seemed like something wrong had happened. How could it have happened that a series got over in South Africa and Jasprit Bumrah didn’t do anything?”
Aakash Chopra
Chopra added:
“He doesn’t go cold. He is a mighty guy. If Siraj took six wickets in the first innings, Bumrah said he is also there. When Bumrah’s ball starts going up and down, or left and right, he is unplayable.”
Aakash Chopra
Bumrah bagged a solid 6/61 in just 13.5 overs during South Africa’s second round. Meanwhile, Mukesh Kumar managed two outs. Mohammed Siraj and Prasidh Krishna each snagged a single wicket.
Aakash Chopra Impressed by Aiden Markram’s Ton
Aakash Chopra gave kudos to Aiden Markram for his battling hundred runs in South Africa’s second innings. He detailed:
“Aiden Markram needs to be praised. He scored a hundred where the team is not scoring 100 runs. He is a proper player. I was extremely surprised that he wasn’t a part of the Test team some time ago. Markram scored a century and everyone else gave ordinary performances.”
Aakash Chopra
The former cricket player and current broadcaster said, “India chased down the paltry fourth-innings target with relative ease.” He said:
“In the Indian team also, Yashasvi (Jaiswal) tried to score runs quickly. Shubman (Gill) got out, the ball stayed low. Virat Kohli was also caught down the leg side. In the end, India won by seven wickets.”
Aakash Chopra
The other Indian batsmen to lose their wickets in the second innings were Shubman Gill (10) and Virat Kohli (12), while Yashasvi Jaiswal was removed for a blistering 23-ball 28. Shreyas Iyer struck the winning boundary, but Rohit Sharma was still undefeated at number sixteen.