Former Indian cricketer Aakash Chopra has praised the West Indies team as they advance to the Super 8 stage of the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2024. Aakash Chopra described the West Indies as the team to beat in the ongoing World Cup after their comprehensive victory against New Zealand. in his recent match.
The West Indies recorded a 13-run victory over New Zealand at the Brian Lara Stadium in Trinidad on Wednesday, June 12. The home team posted a competitive total of 149 runs in their 20 overs. Windies players restricted the opposition team to 136/9 to secure their third consecutive World Cup victory.
Afghanistan defeated Papua New Guinea at the same venue a day later to secure their place in the Super 8 stages. New Zealand were eliminated from the group stage. The West Indies will face Afghanistan in their final group stage match at the Daren Sammy National Cricket Stadium in Saint Lucia on Monday 17 June.
They have an explosive batting lineup – Aakash Chopra
In a video shared on his YouTube channel, Aakash Chopra said that West Indies have emerged as a formidable team in the T20 World Cup, highlighting their explosive batting line-up. Chopra praised Sherfane Rutherford for her heroics against New Zealand and described him as an unlikely hero in the match.
“New Zealand, goodbye. West Indies are the team to beat. They have an explosive batting line-up in which Sherfane Rutherford appeared as a slightly off-the-syllabus question from New Zealand’s perspective because they handled Nicholas Pooras, Johnson Charles , Brandon. King, Andre Russell and everyone else, but Sherfane Rutherford beat them,” Chopra said.
Sherfane Rutherford arrived at the crease when West Indies were struggling at 22/4 in 5.4 overs. Rutherford scored an unbeaten 68 runs off 39 balls, including two fours and six maximums. He added an unbeaten partnership of 37 runs for the last wicket with Gudakesh Motie, who scored zero runs off one delivery.
West Indies are a very good team – Aakash Chopra
The former India opener praised West Indies’ bowling performance and stated that they are a “very good” team. Chopra warned other teams not to underestimate the co-hosts of the T20 World Cup.
“He scored runs and took his team to a score from which it was possible to win. After that, Gudakesh Motie definitely takes wickets, he also took two or three in this match, Alzarri Joseph took four, Akeal Hosein bowled strongly and Then Romario Shepherd and Andre Russell. I think the West Indies are a very good team. This team has depth and variety. You have to be careful with them,” Chopra added.
Alzarri Joseph took four wickets for 19 runs in his four-over spell. Gudakesh Motie secured three wickets and conceded 25 runs in his full quota of overs. Akeal Hosein was economical with the ball, giving away 21 runs and taking a wicket. Andre Russell also bagged one wicket but conceded 30 runs.
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