T20 World Cup: Aakash Chopra believes Chakaravarthy, Bumrah will be key against Proteas

The high-stakes encounter is scheduled to take place in Ahmedabad on Sunday.

In a video shared on his YouTube channel, Aakash Chopra, the former opener reiterated that both Chakaravarthy and Bumrah have the ability to be game-changers, even on flat pitches that traditionally favour batters.

Chakaravarthy has been in outstanding form during the group stage, claiming nine wickets in four innings at a miserly economy rate of 5.16. Bumrah, meanwhile, picked up four wickets in three innings while conceding runs at an economy of 6.00.

Chopra also offered tactical advice for the contest. He suggested that Bumrah should not be deployed with the new ball, proposing instead that Hardik Pandya share the new-ball duties with Arshdeep Singh.

According to Chopra, this approach would allow Bumrah to be preserved for crucial middle and death overs.

He warned that mismanaging the bowling resources could leave Suryakumar Yadav struggling to complete Hardik's four overs, and added that Axar Patel may need to be kept away from South Africa's left-handed batters to avoid unfavourable match-ups.

"I am going to go with two bowlers. It's our bowling bank of eight overs. I am not going towards the batters now. It's true that the batters are feeling slight pressure. They are not playing in a fearless and carefree manner. The dot-ball percentage has gone up slightly," Chopra said.

"So I am thinking about two bowlers, because when the conditions are generally flat, they change the complexion of the game.

"They are Varun Chakaravarthy's four overs and four overs of Jasprit Bumrah. These eight overs can actually turn the game in our favour.

"The last time they played against South Africa here, Varun conceded 53 runs in four overs, but picked up four wickets. Bumrah was economical and picked up one or two wickets as well." 

READ MORE: Pep Guardiola admits Rodri return was 'too early' as Man City brace for Newcastle clash