Former Indian Test opener Aakash Chopra questioned the team’s tactics after India suffered a 30-run loss against South Africa at Eden Gardens, Kolkata on Sunday. Chopra highlighted that India came up with pre-decided plans, which didn’t help them.
South Africa were 93-7 at the end of the second day’s play but posted 153 runs on the board after Temba Bavuma scored a fighting knock of 55 runs. India’s gun fast bowler Jasprit Bumrah was not given the ball at the start of day three despite him taking a five-wicket haul in the first innings.
In the end, it was Bumrah, who accounted for Corbin Bosch and broke the crucial partnership, which was taking the game away India.
“Of course, we have the benefit of hindsight. Whatever happens in the morning or at the start of a new session, it is never the thought process of the on-field captain alone. He is a part of the leadership group that decides who they would bowl and what strategy they would go with. All that has been pre-decided,” Aakash Chopra said on Star Sports.
The renowned commentator said Jasprit Bumrah should have been brought into the attack earlier by stand-in captain Rishabh Pant.
“It was everyone’s collective decision that this is what they wanted to do. The result shows that Bumrah should have been brought earlier. We also thought Bumrah should have been brought earlier, but the Indian team thought differently,” Chopra observed.
The former Delhi cricketer said the Indian team was defensive in their field settings on the third day’s play.
“Slightly defensive. They could have brought them slightly up. There was no need to give singles so easily. When South Africa didn’t take the roller, India felt seven batters had already gotten out, wickets would fall quickly as the pitch had become very bad, so why should fours be conceded?” he replied.
“This is the modern-day captaincy. We repeatedly ask why fielders are in the deep, but captains, teams, and grounds have changed in the last five-six years, and I am willing to concede that modern-day captaincy will probably be like this only because modern-day captains believe that if you stop someone’s fours, the batters get desperate and get out,” Chopra observed.
India and South Africa will take on each other in the second Test at Barsapara Cricket Stadium, Guwahati, from Saturday onwards.
