Vice-captain Rishabh Pant bemoaned India’s failure to chase down 124 against South Africa in the opening Test on Sunday, saying the batters ought to have adjusted to the difficult Eden Gardens surface.
India was bowled out for 93, South Africa celebrated a 30-run victory to take a 1-0 lead in the two-match series.
“After a game like this, you can’t dwell into it too much. We should have been able to chase it. The pressure kept on building. We didn’t capitalise enough. There was help from the wicket (for the bowlers),” said Pant, who attended the post-match presentation ceremony in the absence of an injured Shubman Gill.
The hosts will return stronger in the second Test at Guwahati, according to Pant.
“A score of 120 can be tricky on these surfaces. But having said that, we should have been able to soak in the pressure and capitalise. We haven’t thought about the improvements but we will come back strong for sure,” he added.
The turning point of the match, according to the wicketkeeper batter, was the eighth wicket stand of 44 runs between Corbin Bosch and South Africa skipper Temba Bavuma.
“Temba and Bosch had a good stand in the morning. That partnership between them hurt us,” he said.
South Africa captain Bavuma gave the bowlers credit for keeping his team in the match.
“We want to be a part of these games and be on the right side of the result. It was tough for us and we needed the bowlers to bring us back in. We were able to change our bowlers frequently and that worked for us. Our bowlers, as and when they were called, brought us in,” he said.
Bavuma also gave Bosch credit for helping him score some vital runs in the first hour of the third day.
“My stand with Bosch was nice. The wicket played better this morning, wasn’t as extreme. It is not all the time that you score 120 and believe you are in the game.”
Bavuma was pleased with his crucial unbroken 55, which gave South Africa’s bowlers something to defend.
“Batting, I am just comfortable with myself and technique. I stand as still as I can, watch the ball. I have come here wanting to do well. Not a great record, but I have come here with exuberance and wanting to do well,” he said.
“It was about awareness, the leg opening up a little bit. The way I played it,” he added.
One of the pivotal moments of the game, according to the Proteas captain, was his catch to dismiss Axar Patel.
“That was not easy. Crucial moment, Axar had momentum on his side. Fortunately, he was able to make a mistake and I was able to grab it with my small hands.”
With eight wickets in the match, Man of the match Simon Harmer was pleased to have helped the team win.
“I felt today the pitch was a bit flatter as the ball got older; it wasn’t exploding as much. I asked myself some hard questions. Nice to contribute. I have been here before and it was a dark place,” the off-spinner said.
“So to get here and be in this position, to be behind the eight ball again and to be able to fight back the way we did just shows our belief,” he said.
“I’m not a stats man, I’m a win man. I am happy with the win. Still a game to go in the series, so we will enjoy this,” he added.
