Aakash Chopra has blasted Australia’s poor batting performance in their World Cup 2023 loss to South Africa. however, he admit that Steve Smith and Marcus Stoinis were unfortunate to be given out.
Temba Bavuma and company set the Aussies a 312-run target after being selected to bat first in Lucknow on Thursday, October 12. The five-time winners were subsequently bowled out for 177, suffering a 134-run defeat, their second in a row at the opening of the competition.
In a video posted to his YouTube page, Aakash Chopra reflected on Australia’s pursuit, pointing out that Smith got a little questionable judgment after Mitchell Marsh and David Warner dismissed cheaply. He stated, “
“When Australia came to bat, Mitchell Marsh’s bat is not striking the ball. Virat Kohli took a catch off Jasprit Bumrah’s bowling in the last match and here also a leading edge – thank you very much, he got out.”
“After that David Warner also got out. I felt Smith’s dismissal was slightly 50-50. I felt he was probably not out but the DRS said it is out. Then Josh Inglis got a ball which he felt like Greek. He got out to Kagiso Rabada.”
Aakash Chopra
Aakash Chopra said that the Australian batting was blown away while noticing that Stoinis was incorrectly given out. He went on to say:
“Rabada was breathing fire. Marcus Stoinis got out down the leg side, which was not out but was given out. They were in a bad situation. They were totally destroyed. Marnus Labuschagne did play for some time for sure, but it wouldn’t have made a difference.”
Aakash Chopra
On review, Smith was given out leg-before because the ball-tracking system showed the ball touching the stumps, despite the fact that it appeared to be sliding down the leg stump to the naked eye. The third umpire called Stoinis out for being caught behind, despite the fact that the ball struck the glove that was not holding the bat and was not in touch with the other glove.
Aakash Chopra reveals the secret behind Quinton de Kock’s explosive century
Aakash Chopra praised Quinton de Kock for destroying the Australian attack, particularly Josh Hazlewood, in his analysis of South Africa’s batting. He clarified:
“Quinton de Kock thrashed them. He has struck one more century. I was seeing his head-to-head with Josh Hazlewood, it seemed like it was 50-50, and at times, Josh Hazlewood comes on top against him but here he said if your name is Hazlewood, I am fire.”
Aakash Chopra
Aakash Chopra also lauded other South African bats for making significant contributions to their team’s 300-plus total. He said:
“Temba Bavuma too batted well at the start. The catches were getting dropped but he played from his side. After that, whoever came kept on hitting, whether it was Rassie van der Dussen for a little while, Aiden Markram till the time he was there, Heinrich Klaasen or David Miller at the end, and Marco Jansen also scored runs.”
Aakash Chopra
Quinton de Kock scored 109 runs from 106 deliveries, including eight fours and five sixes. While Aiden Markram hit 56 runs off 44 balls, the other Proteas batsmen delivered innovative knocks to propel the team to a win.