‘They activate the monster mode while batting first’ – Aakash Chopra analyses South Africa’s match against Bangladesh in ODI World Cup 2023

India’s former opening batsman and commentator Aakash Chopra recently analysed how South Africa has managed to consistently set high targets and the recent match against Bangladesh in the ODI World Cup 2023. Aakash Chopra discussed that South Africa turns on a monster mode as soon as they get the opportunity to bat first.  

In the five matches the team has played in the ODI World Cup, South Africa has won 4 games, and their wicket-keeper opening batsman Quinton de Kock scored three centuries, with Heinrich Klaasen and Aiden Markram’s high contribution in the middle order. South Africa currently stands in the number two position on the points table with a high net run rate of 8 Points.

Aakash Chopra on Quinton de Kock’s centuries in the ODI World Cup 2023

“This is a team. They activate the monster mode when they bat first. They got stuck once. That was in the run chase against the Netherlands but this team is different while batting first”, said Aakash Chopra

“Bangladesh made a good start, they picked two wickets in the powerplay. It seemed like they would change the game but how will they do that because Quinton de Kock has decided and come that it is his last World Cup and every time it should be said – ‘Abhi na jao chhod kar ki dil abhi bhara nahin’ (Please don’t leave now, it seems to early)”, Chopra said. 

While talking about Quinton de Kock’s beast mode in the ODI World Cup, he said, “He is doing exactly that. He has scored three centuries and has already said that his ODI cricket is over after this. Now you won’t ask when will you go and instead ask why are you going. This is the kind of tournament he is having.”

“Considering the sort of batting form he (De Kock) was in and the number of overs that were left, I think 200 was there for the taking. Aiden Markram – he also scored a half-century. He has struck a century earlier. David Miller also scored runs this time and Heinrich Klaasen is playing differently”, he added.