Aakash Chopra believes the United States erred in putting Nitish Kumar ahead of Corey Anderson in their 2024 T20 World Cup victory over Pakistan. The former India opener believes Monank Patel and his team would not have required a Super Over to win if the former New Zealand batsman had been put to bat at number five.
Pakistan set the United States a 160-run goal after being allowed to bat first in Dallas on Thursday, June 6. Although Babar Azam and his team limited the United States to 159/3 in the main game, they ultimately lost in a Super Over.
In a video posted on his YouTube account, Aakash Chopra reflected on the USA’s chase and said that Corey Anderson should have been dispatched ahead of Nitish Kumar.
“Why didn’t you send Corey Anderson? You sent Nitish Kumar. Of course, Nitish Kumar (the politician) is a game-changer these days but you shouldn’t have sent him. You should have sent Corey Anderson. Nitish scored a run-a-ball 14, and a game you could have won easily, you ended at 159/3.”
Aakash Chopra
The former India opener attributed the United States’ failure to win the major game on inexperience.
“A Super Over shouldn’t have happened when you had lost only three wickets. It’s understandable if a Super Over happens after eight wickets, or if three wickets fell in the last over. America’s lack of experience was seen. Crossing the finishing line is the most difficult job and that was seen here.”
Aakash Chopra
Nitish (14 off 14) did not hit a boundary in his first 13 deliveries. However, he hit a four on the final ball of the main game to send it to a Super Over.
“The game seemed to be one-sided” – Aakash Chopra on the initial part of USA’s chase
Aakash Chopra reflected on the opening of the USA innings, noting that they appeared to be on their way to an easy win.
“When Pakistan got to bowl, they couldn’t take a single wicket. Naseem Shah definitely got Steven Taylor out at the start but after that, runs started and kept getting scored. The game seemed to be one-sided. Monank Patel scored a half-century. He is the captain of this team and bats very well.”
Aakash Chopra
The well-known analyst lauded Monank Patel, Andries Gous, and Aaron Jones for making key runs for the United States.
“He played properly, scored 50 runs off just 38 balls, and showed that runs could be scored against Shaheen Shah Afridi, Haris Rauf, Mohammed Amir, Naseem Shah and Shadab Khan’s bowling. So there was nothing wrong with the pitch. When Andries Gous got out, the match turned a little, but Aaron Jones, who was the hero of the Canada match as well, batted well here too.”
Aakash Chopra
Patel and Gous (35 off 26) put up a 68-run second-wicket stand after Steven Taylor was bowled for a 16-ball 12. Jones and Nitish Kumar combined to hit an undefeated 36 off 26 deliveries, sending the game to a Super Over.
