Former South African captain Shaun Pollock expressed his surprise after India’s lack of resistance on the final day of the second Test match at Guwahati. India suffered an ignominious loss of 408 runs after they were skittled out for a paltry score of 140.
Barring Ravindra Jadeja’s half-century, none of the other batters could show much gumption with the bat. Sai Sudharsan faced 139 deliveries but scored only 14 runs as he was not positive in his approach and footwork.
Pollock highlighted that India missed a chance after they had South Africa at 247-6 at stumps on the opening day’s play but the visitors were able to post 489 runs on the board after Senuran Muthusamy and Marco Jansen scored 109 and 93 runs respectively. Furthermore, India were 95-1 but collapsed to 122-7 in the first innings.
Shaun Pollock said on Cricbuzz, “Technically there were a few issues today. Some of the players not picking length, lunging forward and getting themselves into trouble. Sai Sudharsan went nowhere, which didn’t help his innings. India also let South Africa off the hook from 247/6 after Day 1. And then losing six quick wickets in their batting innings, you can’t have those in Test cricket and expect to be competitive. I felt like they were always going to lose today but just wanted them to fight and try and take it as deep as possible.”
“But sometimes it’s these losses that act as a catalyst and there is a rethink, rejig, restructuring and the team can go from strength to strength after that. But apart from Gill, Jaiswal and Rahul, the others making up the top six is where the concern lies.”
Pollock said the manner in which India lost the second Test was more concerning for him. India raised the white flag as they didn’t show any fight with the bat on Wednesday.
“The manner in which the defeat happened today was more concerning. I expected them to grind out a reply. But to be bowled out for 140 was disappointing. It’s left them with a lot of thinking to do. 0-3 and 0-2 was not something anyone would have predicted 18 months before. It was always a case of you rock up in India and you’re going to get beaten by the spinners,” said Pollock.
“Yes, Gill not batting in the two games made a big difference. The first game in Kolkata was close and if that went the other way, maybe there’s not so much of a concern. But to lose that and the fashion of defeat in this one is the one that’s going to hurt the most.”
India and South Africa will now take on each other in a three-match ODI series.
