Former India player turned veteran commentator Aakash Chopra has added that South Africa have a strong batting unit heading into their 2024 T20 World Cup opener against Sri Lanka in New York on Monday, June 3 as well. However, he stated that never before did he realize that they have only one proper all-rounder in their mix as well. Notably, they are placed in Group D alongside Sri Lanka, Bangladesh, Nepal, and the Netherlands.
In a video shared on his YouTube channel, Chopra said, “South Africa could be a very explosive team. If the color quota is not taken too seriously and is balanced over a period of time, they won’t have many tough questions. Then Tristan Stubbs, Gerald Coetzee, Anrich Nortje – all of them can play. The team is good, where either Reeza Hendricks or Ryan Rickelton with Quinton de Kock at the start.”
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“After that, you will see Heinrich Klaasen, David Miller, Tristan Stubbs and Aiden Markram the captain. They will have Marco Jansen as well. I have realized for the first time that this team has only one proper all-rounder, that is Marco Jansen. They have two spin-bowling options in the form of Tabraiz Shamsi and Keshav Maharaj,” the former India opener further added.
However, he wasn’t at his best in IPL 2024, managing just one wicket at an economy rate of 12.90 in three matches as well. But the Proteas might have to include him in the playing XI to strengthen their squad. The veteran also chose Heinrich Klaasen, Aiden Markram, and
Tabraiz Shamsi is the Proteas players who are in focus in Monday’s game.
“I feel this will be a good match. This will not be a straightforward match. History troubles them a little. When history troubles you, you try to do something different. I think they will come out all guns blazing. They will try to play a different brand of cricket, 200-225 kind of cricket, which no one else might be playing here. In batting, from South Africa’s side, I will go with Heinrich Klaasen one more time, that how he plays? I feel Markram can do slightly better in the World Cup. So that can be an important area. In bowling, Tabraiz Shamsi from their side,” Aakash Chopra concluded.
