Indian batting legend Sunil Gavaskar shared his views on South Africa’s decision to bat first after winning the toss in the second Test against India in Cape Town on Wednesday, January 3. He also opined that the Proteas bowlers could have taken advantage of the conditions at Newlands by putting more pressure on the struggling Indian batters as well.
However, Dean Elgar’s decision to bat first backfired as the hosts were bundled out for a mere 55, their lowest total in Test matches since 1932 as well. South Africa bounced back well to restrict India to 153. By stumps on Day 1, South Africa were 62/3 in their second innings as well.
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Sharing his thoughts on South Africa’s decision to bat first in the Cape Town Test, Gavaskar said to Star Sports: “Well, I tell you what, I was a bit surprised by what happened. Because a lot of times, captains and coaches make a big deal about what the pitch is gonna be… I think you have also got to look at the psychology of the Indian team, having been defeated in three days, having batted so poorly in the second innings and going to be batting first on a fresh pitch would have been just a little bit defensive. And I have thought that South Africans with the fast bowlers that they have in their lineup could look to take advantage of the fact that they have not played any cricket in between and therefore put them in,” he further added.
However, Team India speedster Mohammed Siraj claimed 6/15 as India bowled out the hosts cheaply. Kagiso Rabada, Lungi Ngidi and Nandre Burger then claimed three scalps each as South Africa restricted India’s lead to under 100. During the discussion, Sunil Gavaskar also recalled the Adelaide Test against Australia where India were bowled out for 36.
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“Something similar happened in Australia two years ago, Australia dismissed India for 36. The next Test played in Melbourne, where the grass on the pitch was three millimetres more than the one at Adelaide,” he concluded.
