Former India player Aakash Chopra has slammed Lendl Simmons for his timid knock for the West Indies in their T20 World Cup 2021 match against South Africa. He has scored a 35-ball 16 and never tried to accelerator the innings as well.
However, the West Indies were restricted to a score of 143/8, which South Africa successfully chased down. While reflecting on their performance in a video shared on his YouTube channel, Aakash Chopra was unhappy with Simmons’ batting approach. He was surprised by his batting as he did not attempt to play any attacking shots also.
READ HERE: Aakash Chopra opens up on New Zealand’s T20 World Cup squad
He elaborated: “South Africa opted to bowl and Lendl Simmons was there in front. I couldn’t understand what he was doing. He scored 16 runs in 35 deliveries and you had to retire him out. No one does it but it will have to be done. He didn’t hit a single four or a six. The surprising thing is he was not even trying to hit fours or sixes. I mean it is still understandable if you are throwing the bat and not able to hit the ball but you cannot hit a six if you are only defending.”
Aakash Chopra also added that even others’ efforts failed to help them in their game as well. While Evin Lewis scored a quickfire 56 off 35 deliveries, Kieron Pollard smashed a 20-ball 26, but it wasn’t enough to post a massive target for South Africa as well. While talking about the West Indies bowling attack, Aakash Chopra shared his views as well.
READ HERE: Shaun Tait explains why speedsters struggle to bowl 150+kmph
He opined: “Everyone else was trying a lot – whether it was Evin Lewis, Nicholas Pooran or Kieron Pollard – everyone threw their bats but if one person scores 16 runs in six overs, you will always be falling short however much you might hit.”
“The defending champions’ bowling looks absolutely pedestrian. They cannot defend and the way they are batting, I don’t feel they are going forward. I won’t be surprised if they finish at the bottom. They are looking like a pale shadow of their glorious past,” Aakash Chopra concluded.
