Former India batter turned veteran commentator Aakash Chopra has applauded South Africa for being at their destructive form when setting a target in the 2023 World Cup as well. The Proteas set a massive 383-run target after opting to bat first against Bangladesh in Mumbai on Tuesday, October 24. They then bundled out Bangladesh for 233 to complete a 149-run win and move to second place in the points table.

Reviewing the game in a video shared on his YouTube channel, Chopra said: “This is a team. They activate the monster mode when they bat first. They got stuck once. That was in the run chase against the Netherlands but this team is different while batting first. Bangladesh made a good start, they picked two wickets in the powerplay. It seemed like they would change the game but how will they do that because Quinton de Kock has decided and come that it is his last World Cup and every time it should be said – ‘Abhi na jao chhod kar ki dil abhi bhara nahin’ (Please don’t leave now, it seems to early).”

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Aakash Chopra further added that the South Africa wicketkeeper-batter’s performances will compel fans to ask why he is quitting the ODI format as well. De Kock scored 174 runs off 140 balls with the help of 15 fours and seven sixes as well. With 407 runs to his name, he has now surpassed Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma to become the leading run-getter in the tournament.

“He is doing exactly that. He has scored three centuries and has already said that his ODI cricket is over after this. Now you won’t ask when will you go and instead ask why are you going. This is the kind of tournament he is having. Considering the sort of batting form he (De Kock) was in and the number of overs that were left, I think 200 was there for the taking. Aiden Markram – he also scored a half-century. He has struck a century earlier. David Miller also scored runs this time and Heinrich Klaasen is playing differently,” Aakash Chopra concluded.