South Africa’s captain Temba Bavuma, according to Aakash Chopra, was their Achilles heel throughout their 2023 World Cup campaign.
Bavuma was out for a four-ball duck as the Proteas were bowled out for 212 in the second semi-final against Australia on Thursday in Kolkata. Despite a valiant effort from the South African bowlers, Australia won by three wickets with 16 deliveries to spare, setting up a final match against India in Ahmedabad on Sunday.
In a video posted on his YouTube page, Chopra reflected on South Africa’s batting, pointing out that Bavuma remained the largest vulnerability in their defense.
“South Africa opted to bat and you feel sad when you talk about someone like that, but the truth is that this team’s captain proved to be their weakest link in this entire tournament – Temba Bavuma. Runs haven’t come from Bavuma’s bat at all.”
Aakash Chopra
While conceding that South Africa’s captain led the tournament effectively, the former India opener stated that Bavuma was found wanting in the quarterfinal.
“The captaincy also looked slightly questionable in the end in the semifinal, with regards to the field positioning, although he captains well. I have a lot of respect and time for Temba the captain, but Temba the batter is not doing well. He is struggling and how.”
Aakash Chopra
Aakash Chopra believes that Reeza Hendricks should have started ahead of Bavuma.
“Reeza Hendricks played two matches and he batted amazingly well in the first match. I think it was against either England or Bangladesh. That game was at the Wankhede Stadium, I remember correctly.”
Aakash Chopra
In South Africa’s league-stage victory over England in Mumbai, Hendricks hit a 75-ball 85. Bavuma, on the other hand, only managed 145 runs in eight innings at a lowly 18.13 average, with 35 being his best score.
Aakash Chopra compares SA’s poor batting with Rohit Sharma’s brilliance
Aakash Chopra went on to say that South Africa got off to a slow start in the semi-finals.
“The captain played and got out for zero. Quinton de Kock played a slog and got out. The truth is that South Africa scored eight runs in the first six overs. Rohit Sharma scored as many runs in Trent Boult’s first six balls. Of course, different pitch, different bowlers.”
Aakash Chopra
However, the cricketer-turned-commentator hailed David Miller for his valiant century, which helped South Africa to a respectable total.
“Four wickets fell quickly and then David Miller was very, very good. He scored a century. It’s not easy to score a century in a semifinal. Against all odds, under pressure, but he scored runs.”
Aakash Chopra
Miller scored 101 runs on 116 balls, including eight fours and five sixes. After South Africa was 24/4, he and Heinrich Klaasen (47 off 48) shared 95 runs for the fifth wicket.