"Will you make Reeza sit out?" - Aakash Chopra questions Temba Bavuma's place in South Africa's XI for World Cup 2023 clash vs Bangladesh

Aakash Chopra has questioned Temba Bavuma's place in South Africa's playing XI even if he is fit and available for their World Cup 2023 clash against Bangladesh in Mumbai on Tuesday, October 24.

The South African skipper missed their last game against England due to illness. Reeza Hendricks, who replaced him at the top of the order, made the most of the opportunity by smashing a 75-ball 85 in the Proteas' emphatic 229-run win.

Previewing Tuesday's game in a video shared on his YouTube channel, Chopra opined that Hendricks shouldn't be asked to make way for Bavuma on a featherbed at the Wankhede Stadium. He elaborated (7:05):

"It is Mumbai's Wankhede Stadium. The pitch is good for batting here. South Africa scored 399 in the last match. England made a mistake by asking them to bat first and they started hitting. Temba Bavuma didn't play there. Don't know if he will be available here."

The former India opener added:

"Will he be played if he is available? That's the big question because Reeza Hendricks has done well and Quinton de Kock has already scored two centuries. So will you make Reeza sit out? You shouldn't do that."

Chopra pointed out that none of the middle-order batters can be made to sit out to accommodate the Proteas skipper. He explained:

"Rassie van der Dussen comes at No. 3. He has also scored runs, he has scored a century, and scored runs in the last match as well. Then comes Aiden Markram, who was the stand-in captain. Then Heinrich Klaasen, who just destroys everyone, and David Miller and Marco Jansen. Sorry Temba, there is no place getting created for you."

Bavuma has managed just 59 runs in his three innings in the ongoing World Cup. The South African team management might struggle to make a place for him in the XI even if he is fully fit for the Bangladesh clash.

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"They are not going to go with spin against Bangladesh" - Aakash Chopra expects South Africa to play 4 seamers

The South African pacers dismantled the England batting lineup in their last game at the Wankhede. [P/C: AP]

Aakash Chopra expects South Africa to attack the Bangladesh batters with their four-pronged seam attack. He said (7:45):

"This team also has a strong bowling attack. They have proper fast bowling, four fast bowlers - Kagiso Rabada, Gerald Coetzee, Marco Jansen and Lungi Ngidi. I see these four playing in this match as well because they are not going to go with spin against Bangladesh."

The cricketer-turned-commentator concluded by picking South Africa as the favorites heading into the game. However, he acknowledged that Bangladesh could trap the Proteas if they bat first and set a target close to 300.