Agencies | Kolkata
Indian batters’ frailties against high quality spin in challenging home conditions were exposed yet again as South Africa outplayed their fancied counterparts by 30 runs in the opening Test here on Sunday for their first success in India after 15 years.
Chasing 124, India never showed the composure or method that Temba Bavuma had demonstrated earlier in the day to be bowled out for 93 in 35 overs. Hospitalised due to a neck injury, Shubman Gill was not available to bat on day three.On an under prepared pitch expected to favour Ravindra Jadeja, Axar Patel and Kuldeep Yadav, it was off-spinner Simon Harmer’s match haul of eight wickets that made the difference.
It was India’s fourth loss at home in the last six Tests including the 0-3 debacle against New Zealand on turning tracks last year. The loss has reignited the debate on Indian batters’ ability on turning tracks.
“We should have chased this down. The pressure kept on building in the second innings,” said stand-in-captain Rishabh Pant at the post match presentation. Head coach Gautam Gambhir said the batters’ should have found way to score runs on this surface.
