Former India opener Aakash Chopra (Twitter/@cricketaakash)
A fan blamed Aakash Chopra for India’s loss in the WTC final and the former India batter hit back.
India played a second straight World Test Championship Final, looking to redeem themselves from the wounds of the past. After losing to New Zealand last time, the fans were hopeful about the final being a competitive affair. However, the WTC final saw Australia pick up a dominant victory winning the game by 209 runs. The fans were livid at this humiliating loss. There were several negative comments aimed at the players and coaching staff of the team. In one such attack, a fan blamed Aakash Chopra for India’s loss in the WTC final. “India never won a cup since Aakash Chopra became a commentator”, a fan tweeted. However, it was the reply from Chopra that stole the show.
“I commentated on the 2013 Champions Trophy. And Asia Cup after that. But I get your point. Somebody has to be blamed for the losses. I will take it”, Chopra wrote.
I commentated on the 2013 Champions Trophy. And Asia Cup after that. But I get your point. Somebody has to be blamed for the losses. I will take it 🤗 https://t.co/f9O8mwUNvh— Aakash Chopra (@cricketaakash) June 15, 2023
Chopra provided a reference to the 2013 Champions Trophy that saw India writing history by defeating England in the final. The team had emerged victorious under the leadership of then-Captain MS Dhoni. However, that was the last time India won an ICC trophy.
Another fan took a dig at Aakash Chopra’s departure from Star Sports, the official broadcaster of ICC events in India.
“This time India will surely win because Aakash Chopra is now not in Star Sports India”, another person tweeted to which the former batter promptly replied, “You surely aren’t talking about the WTC finals? I wasn’t there for that too.”
You surely aren’t talking about the WTC finals? 😊 I wasn’t there for that too.— Aakash Chopra (@cricketaakash) June 15, 2023
India were completely outplayed by the Aussies in the WTC final. Winning the toss at The Oval, Rohit Sharma invited Australia to bat first. Indian pacers made a commendable start, sending off Australia’s top three batters quite early. But Australia started regaining some momentum when Steve Smith and Travis Head took over the charge. Thanks to a 285-run partnership from the duo, Australia could post a mammoth 469 runs in the first innings.
In response, India suffered a rare collapse, losing four wickets in just 71 runs. But courtesy of a mettlesome effort by their top order, India could reach 296 runs. After Australia produced 270 runs in their second innings, India landed in a situation where they had to chase down 444 runs to take home the WTC mace. The Aussie bowlers stole the show on the final day and bowled out India for just 234 runs, winning the game by 209 runs.
