Former Indian Test opener Aakash Chopra slammed the Newlands pitch after South Africa was bundled out for a meagre score of 55 runs. Dean Elgar decided to bat first in sunny conditions but the plan backfired as the Proteas lost wickets in a cluster, with Mohammed Siraj bagging a six-wicket haul.
Chopra said there would have been an outcry if the ball turns in India and 20 wickets fall in a day. India was also bundled out for 153 runs despite being four down at the same score and in the end, a total of 23 wickets crumbled on the first day’s play.
There was extra bounce in the surface and the fast bowlers of both teams were right on the money with their line and length.
Aakash Chopra said on his YouTube Channel, “23 wickets fell in a day. South Africa won the toss and decided to bat first, but what sort of decision? India too wanted to bat first but they (South Africa) couldn’t score even 60 runs in the first innings and they are still behind. South Africa have lost 13 wickets and we also lost 10.”
The former India opener added: “Is the pitch bad? Should we talk about the pitch because no one does that? There is an outcry if the ball turns in India and 20 wickets fall in a day. The Western media says that India keep winning on doctored pitches but if the same thing happens in South Africa, will anyone say anything or will they be tight-lipped?”
The renowned commentator added that the pitch has a lot of help for the seamers and luck is playing a key role for both teams.
“The pitch has a lot of help. If the ball is turning as much as you are trying to get it to turn, it’s alright. However, if you are bowling straight balls and they pitch and turn, and some go straight, as it happened in the pink-ball Test in Ahmedabad, suddenly batting becomes very difficult.”
“Then luck becomes very important. The pitch here is also looking similar. Luck is outshining skill. It’s not right to play on such pitches. The game should be based on skills and not luck-based. I see it as a two-day Test match. I will be very surprised if this match goes to the third day.”
At the draw of stumps on the opening day, South Africa were 62-3, still behind India’s score by 36 runs.
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