"This team's captain proved to be their weakest link" - Aakash Chopra on South Africa's batting in the 2023 World Cup semi-final loss to Australia
Aakash Chopra believes South Africa's captain Temba Bavuma was their Achilles heel during their 2023 World Cup campaign.
Bavuma was dismissed for a four-ball duck as the Proteas were bundled out for 212 in the second semi-final against Australia in Kolkata on Thursday. Although the South African bowlers put up a spirited fight, the Aussies eked out a three-wicket win with 16 deliveries to spare to set up a final date against India in Ahmedabad on Sunday.
Reflecting on South Africa's batting in a video shared on his YouTube channel, Chopra claimed that Bavuma was the biggest chink in their armor.
"South Africa opted to bat and you feel sad when you talk about someone like that, but the truth is that this team's captain proved to be their weakest link in this entire tournament - Temba Bavuma. Runs haven't come from Bavuma's bat at all," he said.
While acknowledging that the South African skipper had led well earlier in the tournament, the former India opener claimed that Bavuma's captain was also found wanting in the semifinal.
"The captaincy also looked slightly questionable in the end in the semifinal, with regards to the field positioning, although he captains well. I have a lot of respect and time for Temba the captain, but Temba the batter is not doing well. He is struggling and how," Chopra added.
Chopra reckons Reeza Hendricks should have played ahead of Bavuma.
"Reeza Hendricks played two matches and he batted amazingly well in the first match. I think it was against either England or Bangladesh. That game was at the Wankhede Stadium, I remember correctly," he reasoned.
Hendricks smashed a 75-ball 85 in South Africa's league-stage win against England in Mumbai. On the flip side, Bavuma aggregated just 145 runs in eight innings at a paltry average of 18.13, with 35 being his highest score.
"Rohit Sharma scored as many runs in Trent Boult's first 6 balls" - Aakash Chopra on South Africa being 8/2 after 6 overs
![Quinton de Kock and Rassie van der Dussen batted timidly after Temba Bavuma's dismissal. [P/C: AP]](https://statico.sportskeeda.com/editor/2023/11/20106-17001911512248-1920.jpg?w=500)
Aakash Chopra further pointed out that South Africa got off to a pedestrian start in the semi-final contest.
"The captain played and got out for zero. Quinton de Kock played a slog and got out. The truth is that South Africa scored eight runs in the first six overs. Rohit Sharma scored as many runs in Trent Boult's first six balls. Of course, different pitch, different bowlers," he elaborated.
However, the cricketer-turned-commentator praised David Miller for scoring a fighting century and taking South Africa to a respectable total.
"Four wickets fell quickly and then David Miller was very, very good. He scored a century. It's not easy to score a century in a semifinal. Against all odds, under pressure, but he scored runs," Chopra stated.
Miller scored 101 runs off 116 deliveries with the help of eight fours and five sixes. He added 95 runs for the fifth wicket with Heinrich Klaasen (47 off 48) after South Africa were in dire straits at 24/4.