India lost the 3rd Test to South Africa by 7 wickets© AFP
Legendary Indian cricketer Sunil Gavaskar was not happy with India’s strategy after lunch on the fourth day of the third Test against South Africa at Newlands in Cape Town. India’s dreams of securing a historic win in the Test series for the first time in South Africa went up in smoke as the visitors chased 212 runs target for decisive victory Played on Friday and won the three-match series 2-1. South Africa needed only 41 runs to win at lunch and seven wickets are still in the bank. In the second session, the hosts took just 8.3 overs to score the remaining runs. India’s strategy of not using Jasprit Bumrah, Mohammed Shami or Shardul Thakur took Gavaskar by surprise.
Gavaskar said on commentary, “It was a mystery to me why Shardul Thakur and Jasprit Bumrah didn’t bowl after lunch. It was almost as if India had decided that they were not going to win it.”
Umesh Yadav and Ravichandran Ashwin were the bowlers used by Virat Kohli in the second session as Temba Bavuma and Rassi van der Dussen took South Africa home without much difficulty.
Gavaskar also pointed to the defensive field placement when Ashwin was bowling.
The former India said, “The field placement (wasn’t right) for Ashwin… Singles were readily available. Five fielders were in the deep. Give the batsmen a chance the only chance you have is to get them out.” Captain.
Gavaskar, however, did not forget to credit the South African batsmen for his effort. This was the second time in a row that he chased down 200-plus in the fourth innings without breaking a sweat.
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“The pitch was not the best for batting, but the application that South Africa showed in Johannesburg, the application they showed in this Test is also commendable. It shows the character of the team,” he added.
Keegan Pietersen was the Star of the Match for South Africa. The young right-handed batsman scored crucial fifties in both the innings of the match but his 82 in the second innings was perhaps the best in his short career so far. The right-handed batsman received a standing ovation while returning to the pavilion in the first session on Friday.
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