Aakash Chopra Slams Western Media Amid WTC Final Between Australia and South Africa. Renowned cricket commentator Aakash Chopra is currently providing commentary during the ICC World Test Championship (WTC) 2023–25 final between South Africa and Australia at Lord’s, London. During the match, Chopra criticized the Western media for their apparent double standards in coverage.
The final has already seen plenty of drama unfold on a challenging Lord’s pitch over the first two days. A total of 28 wickets fell as both teams struggled with the bat. South African captain Temba Bavuma won the toss and chose to bowl first.
Australia were dismissed for 212 in their first innings, with Steve Smith and Beau Webster scoring fifties. In reply, South Africa were bundled out for just 138, with none of their batters reaching a half-century. By stumps on Day 2 (June 12), Australia had already lost eight wickets in their second innings.
Aakash Chopra Slams Western Media Over Double Standards
Aakash Chopra, currently part of the commentary panel for the ICC WTC 2023-25 final, has taken a dig at the Western media following the fall of 28 wickets within just two days at Lord’s. The former Indian cricketer pointed out the media’s hypocrisy, stating that had such a collapse happened in India, the pitch would have been heavily criticised.
“If 28 wickets had fallen on an Indian pitch over two days, wouldn’t the Western media have made a huge issue out of it? Questions would’ve been raised—what kind of pitch is this? The ball is turning too much, bouncing erratically,” Chopra remarked in a video shared on X (formerly Twitter).
He continued, “Batting has become difficult, so suddenly it’s called a poor pitch? They would say India is doctoring pitches and ruining Test cricket. But when it happens in England, it’s labelled a ‘sporting wicket.’ Apparently, it’s great cricket and the batters’ defensive techniques are to blame. The double standards are quite obvious.”
