Aakash Chopra noted that MI Cape Town’s (MICT) SA20 campaign has faltered in recent matches.
On January 16, MICT lost four wickets to Sunrisers Eastern Cape (SEC) in Gqeberha. After being asked to bat first, they scored 158/8, but Aiden Markram and Co. chased it down with three deliveries to spare.
Chopra explained in a YouTube video review that MICT are in trouble despite leading the points table:
“You cannot predict the winner or favourite. MICT started like a bullet train but someone pulled the chain, leaving them slightly stuck. Markram’s team won at sunrise. Although No. 1, MICT has lost two of their four games.”
The former Indian opener explained that Rashid Khan and Co. have not performed to their potential:
“No team is dominating. MICT started out as the best team, which they still are on paper, but all teams have caught up with them. Sunrisers Eastern Cape and Durban Super Giants defeated them.”
MICT’s bowling department disappointed Chopra:
“Both defences failed. MICT’s bowling is good, but they can’t defend.”
MICT has lost both score defences. In their second tournament game, they lost to the Durban Super Giants (DSG) by five wickets.
Aakash Chopra on Dewald Brevis’ MICT-SEC knock: “He was scared and threatened with bouncers.”
Dewald Brevis has struggled with full and short deliveries, Chopra noted:
“Dewald Brevis struggles with full, swinging deliveries. This time bouncers scared and threatened him. So remember: bowl full if swinging, fast bouncers if not.”
Known commentator George Linde (63* off 28 vs SEC) has saved MICT with the bat:
“George Linde scored runs. He’s off-syllabus. Despite the attention on Rassie van der Dussen, Dewald Brevis, Rickelton, and Roelofsen, he scores runs.”
Chopra believes MICT’s formidable bowling attack should have defended a reasonable score better:
“You could have fought if your bowling had Kagiso Rabada, Olly Stone, Sam Curran, Odean Smith, and Rashid Khan. Markram and Erwee arrived. I like Markram.”
Chopra concluded that Mumbai Indians (MI) management may have mixed feelings about Tristan Stubbs’ match-winning cameo for SEC, reasoning:
“Tristan Stubbs bats lower. Sunrisers Eastern Cape could promote him. He caused MICT’s loss, but MI may be happy because he’s in Mumbai.”
Markram (50 off 35) and Sarel Erwee (41) added 92 runs for the third wicket to set up the run chase. Stubbs then scored an 18-ball 30 to put the Sunrisers in control.
