Former Indian legend Sunil Gavaskar has unleashed a scathing critique of Team India’s lackluster performance on Day 3 of the first Test against South Africa in Centurion. The fiery commentary came as India faltered against a spirited Proteas attack, trailing by a significant margin and desperately in need of a revival.
“India need to wake up,” Sunil Gavaskar thundered, quoted by NDTV Sports. “They have been listless till now. They should be full of energy at the start of the day but they have been all over the place. Listless stuff. At tea, maybe the spirits can be down. Not at the start of the day!”
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Gavaskar’s ire stemmed from India’s lethargic approach right from the beginning of play. Fielding errors, including a crucial dropped catch by KL Rahul, compounded the woes as South Africa plundered runs, piling up an imposing 392 for 7 by lunch in response to India’s underwhelming 245. This lack of intensity, Sunil Gavaskar emphasized, was a missed opportunity to put early pressure on the hosts and seize the initiative.
Initially hyped as a thrilling Boxing Day showdown, the Centurion Test has turned into a nightmare for the visitors. India’s struggles to adapt to South African conditions were evident as their batting crumbled under Kagiso Rabada’s fiery pace, resulting in a meager first-innings total. Dean Elgar, meanwhile, reveled in his farewell series with a commanding century, further solidifying South Africa’s dominance.
Hopeful of a fightback on Day 3, the Indian bowlers failed to contain Elgar’s onslaught. Even debutant David Bedingham displayed admirable grit, adding 56 to the scoreboard. The uphill battle for India only intensified as Elgar continued his masterclass, reaching a magnificent 185.
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Sunil Gavaskar’s scathing assessment serves as a stark reminder of the task at hand for India. To overcome this deficit and salvage the Test, they desperately need to shake off their sluggishness and channel a fierce determination. The time for listlessness is over; Boxing Day beckons a warrior spirit, not a timid surrender.
