Former Indian Test opener Aakash Chopra slammed Indian bowlers for their mundane show on the second day of the second Test match against South Africa at the Barsapara Cricket Stadium, Guwahati. The Proteas were 247-6 at the end of the opening day’s play and the hosts must have been hoping to get rid of the remaining four batters cheaply, so that they could bowl out the opposition under 350.
But it wasn’t to be the case as South Africa posted a par score of 489 runs on the board. Senuran Muthusamy scored a majestic knock of 109, which is his maiden Test century. Moreover, Marco Jansen scored a fine innings of 93, which is his highest score in Test cricket.
Meanwhile, Indian bowlers had to remain patient in their approach as they didn’t get much help from the surface.
Aakash Chopra said on his YouTube Channel, “If there is a lot of help for bowlers on a pitch, we criticize the batters. If it’s a seaming pitch, then something like what happened in Perth happens. If it’s a spin-friendly surface, then something like what happened in Eden Gardens happens. But, if the pitch is flat, then do bowlers have no plans? Are they actually bereft of ideas?
Chopra recalled that Indian bowlers were not clinical in the second innings of the Delhi Test match against the West Indies.
“We saw this against the West Indies as well at the Arun Jaitley Stadium. When we had to bowl a lot of overs, we couldn’t bowl out West Indies all that easily. The field placement becomes defensive. We keep waiting for mistakes. That is exactly how we played in Guwahati. The pitch is good. If the opposition batters dig in, you put the fielders back. Lack of creativity can be seen.”
On the other hand, the renowned commentator also questioned Rishabh Pant’s captaincy and said creative leadership was the need of the hour.
“Bowlers get so many friendly pitches on which they get quick wickets. That’s why there are not able to bowl long spells or come up with something creative. This is a problem, like the chicken and egg story. If such bowling happens, you move towards extreme pitches on which the bowlers can at least pick wickets. But then, the ploy has backfired as well on the team.
“As much as we criticize the batters, bowlers also need to come under scrutiny. On this pitch, there could have been slightly better bowling and a little bit of creative captaincy was needed,” Chopra concluded.
India will resume the third day at 9-0.
