Not India or Australia! Aakash Chopra picks the 'team to beat' in T20 World Cup 2024

Former Indian cricketer Aakash Chopra 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 following their comprehensive victory against New Zealand in their recent match.

The West Indies registered 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. The Windies bowlers restricted the opposition team to 136/9 to secure their third consecutive victory in the World Cup.

Afghanistan defeated Papua New Guinea at the same venue a day later to secure their berth in the Super 8 stages. New Zealand was 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 St Lucia on Monday, June 17.

They Have An Explosive Batting Lineup - Aakash Chopra

In a video shared on his YouTube channel, Aakash Chopra said that the West Indies have become a formidable team in the T20 World Cup, highlighting their explosive batting lineup. Chopra praised Sherfane Rutherford for his heroics against New Zealand, describing him as an unlikely hero in the match.

"New Zealand tata bye-bye. West Indies are the team to beat. They have an explosive batting lineup in which Sherfane Rutherford came as a slightly out-of-syllabus question from New Zealand's perspective because they managed Nicholas Pooras, Johnson Charles, Brandon King, Andre Russell and everyone else, but Sherfane Rutherford thrashed them," Chopra said.

Sherfane Rutherford came to the crease when the 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 37-run partnership for the last wicket with Gudakesh Motie, who scored zero runs on one delivery.

West Indies Are A Damn Good Team - Aakash Chopra

The former India opener praised the West Indies' bowling performance and stated that they are a "damn 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 where a win was possible. After that, Gudakesh Motie definitely picks up wickets, he took two or three in this match as well, Alzarri Joseph took four, Akeal Hosein bowled tightly, and then Romario Shepherd and Andre Russell. I think West Indies are a damn good team. This team has depth and variety. You need to be wary of them," Chopra added.

Alzarri Joseph picked up 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 one wicket. Andre Russell also bagged one wicket but conceded 30 runs.

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