SA vs IND 2023: “India pacers need to be more patient and creative in Cape Town”, says Allan Donald

Former South African gun fast bowler Allan Donald reckons Indian pacers need to be more patient and creative in the second Test match at Cape Town. India conceded an above-par score of 408 runs in the first innings after Dean Elgar scored a fantastic knock of 185 runs.

Barring Jasprit Bumrah, who returned with impressive figures of 4-69, none of the other pacers could make an impact for the team as the visitors bowling looked toothless. Shardul Thakur and Prasidh Krishna also conceded their runs at 5.30 and 4.70 respectively, thus failing to support Bumrah.

“Come Cape Town, it will be hard work and there will be a lot more energy from both teams. Cape Town will be hard work and it will bring honesty out of both the attacks,” former South Africa pacer Allan Donald said while speaking to PTI.

Donald said the wicket is expected to be flat in Cape Town and thus Indian bowlers will have to work hard for their wickets.

“You need to be more creative in Cape Town as wickets are a lot more flatter and partnerships will stretch and that’s traditionally as someone who knows it will be tougher Tests,” he further added.

Donald feels India should bowl a bit full with the new ball in the initial phase whereas they should try to break a long partnership by bowling short.

“But your first innings bowling could reward you, if you pitch the new ball a bit fuller and try to swing it for the first 25 to 30 overs. And then start mixing your pace,” he noted.

“When the partnership stretches longer, you need to have two guys who need to bowl short and full. Your spinner will keep one side nice and tight while seamers operate from one end. As the game goes long and the partnership stretches, reverse swing comes into effect,” Donald added.

The former pacer, who was known to consistently bowl above 140 kmph during his heydays, added South African bowlers utilized the conditions better than Indian bowlers.

“I know South Africa probably got the better of the conditions, no questions about that. They pitched the ball in a 5 and 5.5 meter area and gave it a chance to do something off the deck. But what they did better than India was they were more patient in that area and even they used the short ball a little bit more in the second innings,” Donald concluded.

The second Test match between South Africa and India will be played at the Newlands, Cape Town from January 3.