‘What are you doing, England?’ – Former India Cricketer lashes out at England after loss over New Zealand in opening game of ODI World Cup 2023

The ODI World Cup 2023 started with a great win for New Zealand against defending champions England on October 5 at the iconic Narendra Modi Cricket Stadium. The Jos Buttler-led side suffered a humiliating 9-wicket defeat against the Black Caps during the opening game of the marquee tournament.

Following England’s loss in the match, former India cricketer Aakash Chopra feels that the Black Caps took revenge for the ODI World Cup 2019 final. Notably, New Zealand lost the 2019 ODI World Cup final against England despite equal runs in the 50th over as well as the super over. In addition, the well-renowned cricket commentator feels that the English team started their campaign as one of the favourites, but New Zealand completely dominated during the play.

“It looked like New Zealand took revenge for the 2019 World Cup final loss. I mean, they completely dominated the opposition. England started as one of the favourites, but New Zealand made them look so ordinary,” Aakash Chopra said on his YouTube channel.

No one hardly rates New Zealand: Aakash Chopra

The former India opener further lashes out at Jos Buttler and Co. for such a terrible defeat. Moreover, the cricket analyst feels the defending champions have played plenty of poor shots, which makes them lose the match. The Uttar Pradesh-born cricketer heaps praise on the Tom Latham side following the wonderful win. Furthermore, the 46-year-old cricketer describes how no one rates Kiwis, and no big teams play a bilateral series against them, even though they outclassed the top English set-up during the play.

“What are you doing, England? It looked like they expected their reputation to do all the work. They wanted to play aggressive cricket, but it did not transpire on the ground at all. I saw so many poor shots towards the end, take Joe Root’s and Moeen Ali’s dismissal as example. No one hardly rates New Zealand. They hardly play matches in between the two World Cup editions, no one plays big series against them, but they still come through,” he added further.