While speed great Dale Steyn praised the visitors after three days of dominance, the legendary Anil Kumble criticized the Indian batters’ strategy on Monday after the team conceded a 288-run lead to South Africa in the second Test in Guwahati.
With lanky pacer Marco Jansen registering figures of 6/48 after hammering 93 on the second day, India were bowled out for a pitiful 201 in their first innings on a wicket that Kuldeep Yadav had described as a “road”.
“I felt India’s batting effort was quite poor. The application and patience required in Test cricket were missing. While there were some good deliveries, the batsmen didn’t seem prepared to endure tough spells or play session by session,” Kumble told JioStar.
South Africa, who are leading the two-match series 1-0, scored 489 runs in their first innings.
“It seemed like the aim was to chase runs quickly, which is unrealistic in a Test match where 489 runs need to be built gradually. Respecting the opposition bowlers and their spells is crucial, but India didn’t show enough of that resilience,” Kumble said.
“Marco Jansen bowled exceptionally well, putting India under consistent pressure. When he started bowling bouncers, which can be tricky given his height and awkward length, India appeared unprepared to either leave or take the blows.
“That approach is essential in Test cricket to survive challenging spells, but unfortunately, it was lacking in India’s approach today,” Kumble added.
It was “rare to witness” a visiting side dominate for three days in a row in India, who had lost the first Test after failing to chase 124 on a difficult Eden Gardens track in Kolkata, according to former South African pace spearhead Steyn.
“It’s rare to witness a visiting side dominate three days of cricket in India like this,” Steyn said after the third day’s proceedings at the Barsapara Stadium.
“In my view, their strategy and execution in these Guwahati conditions have outshone India’s efforts.”
Going into the penultimate day, South Africa’s lead was 314 after reaching 26/0 in their second innings.
KL Rahul and Yashasvi Jaiswal combined for 65 runs as India began the day on 9/0. After Rahul was removed by Keshav Maharaj in the 22nd over, the innings abruptly collapsed.
Panic increased when Jaiswal (58) was dismissed with additional bounce by off-spinner Simon Harmer, the hero of the first Test.
Dhruv Jurel was removed for an 11-ball duck off a short ball, Sai Sudharsan fell due to a risky stroke, and stand-in skipper Rishabh Pant was also dismissed after making a careless shot that drew a lot of criticism.
Kumble was all praise for Jansen, whose pace and bounce often unnerved the Indian batsmen.
“Looking at India’s performance today, Jansen bowled with clear intent and discipline, and India simply gave in,” Kumble said.
“The fight and grit we saw from Washington Sundar and Kuldeep Yadav in the lower order was missing from the top order, which was needed on a pitch like this.”
Meanwhile, Steyn praised the decision-making of the Temba Bavuma-led team even more.
“South Africa got off to a good start by winning the toss and choosing to bat first, a decision that paid off. Since then, every move they’ve made — whether in terms of batting application or bowling management — has been spot on.”
Bavuma’s choice to bat again rather to enforce the follow-on was commended by Steyn.
“When Temba Bavuma ran off the field, it was evident that the last hour of play would be challenging for the batsmen,” observed Steyn.
“The decision to continue batting was the right one — aiming to stay positive, take calculated risks, and if a wicket falls, so be it. Tomorrow provides a full day of batting in more favourable conditions, offering an opportunity to build on this position,” Steyn added.
The last time South Africa triumphed in a Test series in India was in 2000.
