Aakash Chopra praised the Indian bowlers for their steady efforts and crushing South Africa in their 2023 World Cup league-stage match.
After deciding to bat first at the Eden Gardens in Kolkata on Sunday, the Men in Blue gave the Proteas a 327-run goal. The hosts then bowled out Temba Bavuma and company for 83 runs to finish a dominant 243-run win and secure first place after the league round.
Aakash Chopra lauded the Indian bowlers in a video posted on his YouTube account for shredding South Africa despite the absence of their spearhead, Jasprit Bumrah. He said:
“It seems like Siraj will eat you if you survive against Bumrah, Shami will get you if you survive against Siraj, Kuldeep will come if you survive against Shami and if you survive against everyone by mistake, Ravindra Jadeja will chew you raw.”
“Siraj, of course, started it here. He has got his rhythm now. Quinton de Kock – inside edge, it’s another story, his numbers especially while chasing against India are extremely ordinary. Bumrah didn’t get a wicket and still the opposing team lost by 250 runs. I have got no idea what would have happened if he had picked wickets.”
Aakash Chopra
Bumrah did not get a wicket but only gave up 14 runs in five overs. Mohammed Siraj (1/11 in four overs) gave India the early lead by removing Quinton de Kock, the tournament’s leading run-scorer, for just five runs.
“He has decided that he needs wickets whenever he rolls his arm over” – Aakash Chopra on Mohammed Shami
Mohammed Shami’s wicket-taking streak continues, according to Aakash Chopra. He stated:
“Shami comes after that and he picks up a wicket in his first over. He has decided that he needs wickets whenever he rolls his arm over. He doesn’t pick just one but two wickets.”
Aakash Chopra
Ravindra Jadeja was lauded by Chopra for demonstrating Rohit Sharma’s choice to put him into the assault during the powerplay was correct. He noticed:
“You need to praise the captain here as he got Ravindra Jadeja early. He would have gotten the idea that finger spinners would work well here because Keshav Maharaj bowled well and Jaddu picked up five wickets.”
Aakash Chopra
In nine overs, Jadeja had a strike rate of 5/33. Kuldeep Yadav (2/7 in 5.1 overs) was India’s other successful bowler.