"South Africa won the game in the end but not without sweating a lot" - Aakash Chopra on SA vs USA 2024 T20 World Cup clash
Aakash Chopra has noted that South Africa were made to toil hard before registering a win in their opening 2024 T20 World Cup Super 8 clash against the United States of America. The Proteas defeated the co-hosts by 18 runs in North Sound, Antigua, on Wednesday, June 19.
Quinton de Kock's 40-ball 74 and Aiden Markram's 32-ball 46 helped South Africa post 194/4 after being asked first. They then restricted Aaron Jones and company to 176/6 to avoid an upset loss.
In a video shared on his YouTube channel, Chopra observed that South Africa had to work hard for a win despite posting a huge total.
"South Africa won the game in the end but not without sweating a lot because they won with a very small margin after scoring so many runs. South Africa were invited to bat first, in which Quinton de Kock batted extremely well. Aiden Markram also batted well," he said (11:00).
The former India opener praised Heinrich Klaasen (36* off 22) and Tristan Stubbs (20* off 16) for complementing De Kock and Markram, and Saurabh Netravalkar (2/21) and Harmeet Singh (2/24) for delivering potent spells.
"In fact, Heinrich Klaasen, Tristan Stubbs - all of them combined to take the team close to 200, which it seemed like was 10-15 runs more than the par for the course. Saurabh Netravalkar once again picked up wickets. South Africa got a slight surprise package in the form of Harmeet Singh," Chopra stated.
Chopra reckons South Africa would be happy that their batters seemed to be in decent form. However, he added that it was bound to happen once they moved away from the seamer-friendly pitches in New York.
"You will have to praise Gous" - Aakash Chopra on Andries Gous' fighting knock
Reflecting on the USA's chase, Aakash Chopra lauded Andries Gous for playing a fighting knock, with Harmeet Singh (38 off 22) and Corey Anderson (12 off 12) playing supporting roles.
"Then the USA got to bat in which you will have to praise Gous because of how well he batted. He remained unbeaten till the end. Harmeet also came and supported him. Corey Anderson also hit one or two sixes," he said in the same video (11:40).
The renowned commentator noted that Kagiso Rabada delivered the match-winning spell for South Africa.
"Kagiso Rabada's accuracy and wicket-taking ability turned the game in South Africa's favor, or else whether it was Marco Jansen or Anrich Nortje, everyone was taken to the cleaners, and Tabraiz Shamsi was decently thrashed," Chopra observed.
Rabada, who registered figures of 3/18 in four overs, was ably supported by Keshav Maharaj (1/24 in four overs). Marco Jansen, Anrich Nortje, and Tabraiz Shamsi together scalped two wickets while conceding 119 runs in their combined 11 overs.