At This Point, The Team Is Not That Good - Aakash Chopra Says South Africa Can't Win T20 World Cup Without AB de Villiers

Former India batsman Aakash Chopra opines that the South African team is thin on paper and on the field without AB de Villiers.

Recently, Cricket South Africa announced that de Villiers, who had made a sudden retirement from international cricket in 2018, has decided “once and for all, that his retirement will remain final” after having discussions with coach Mark Boucher about his future.

“The first thing is whether they can win the World Cup is a big question. They did not win when AB de Villiers was there as well. They play well but something happens when they come for an ICC trophy,” he added.

They are a good team but they also struggle and chokes at times: Aakash Chopra

Aakash Chopra says while the Proteas team, led by new skipper Temba Bavuma, is a decent outfit, and is capable of upsetting the big teams, however, they are fairly inexperienced – Faf du Plessis, Chris Morris, and Imran Tahir all are not included in the squad to tour Ireland and West Indies.

The 43-year-old former opener believes that they will struggle in the Asian conditions – the T20 World Cup is to be hosted by India, or likely by the UAE.

“This team can do well, trouble a few people and spoil other teams’ parties but they might not be able to win the World Cup because wherever it happens, whether in India or the UAE, I have my reservations with regards to their chances to win the tournament in these conditions.

“At this point in time, the team is not that good. Let’s be fair, don’t count them out. They are a good team, they fight but they are also a team that struggles at the end and chokes at times. They don’t really know how to close the big moments. That problem has been there with this team,” observed Chopra.