Legendary leg-spinner Anil Kumble called India’s decision not to give lead pacer Jasprit Bumrah the first over on a treacherous Eden Gardens pitch “questionable”, after the hosts slumped to a 30-run defeat in the opening Test against South Africa on Sunday.
On the third afternoon, India, who had been set a target of 124 to win, were bowled out for 93.
The third day began with the left-arm spin tandem of Axar Patel and Ravindra Jadeja under Rishabh Pant, who took over as India’s captain when Shubman Gill was sidelined due to a neck injury.
The Proteas made a spectacular comeback after being reduced to 75/6 on Day 2, with Temba Bavuma scoring an undefeated half-century (55), adding 44 runs for the eighth wicket with Corbin Bosch (25).
Bumrah broke the stand by dismissing Bosch, and then Mohammed Siraj bowled out South Africa for 153 in their second innings after taking out Simon Harmer and Keshav Maharaj in one over.
“A target of 123 was a bit too much. When the day started, South Africa were 63/7 and that was the lead. Temba Bavuma was still there. But having spread-out fields and not giving the first over to your best bowler, Jasprit Bumrah, was questionable. All three wickets that fell were to the fast bowlers,” Kumble said on JioHotstar.
Temba Bavuma, the captain of South Africa, received a lot of praise from Kumble, who claimed that despite leading the team to the World Test Championship victory earlier this year, he doesn’t always receive the credit he deserves.
“Overall, India were certainly outdone by South Africa. Credit to Temba Bavuma — he doesn’t get the recognition he deserves as a captain. He has won 10 out of 11 Test matches as skipper for South Africa and has won a Test Championship for them. He doesn’t get the kind of credit other international captains receive.
“As a batter, too, he has produced two quality innings, one in the WTC final and one here, literally back-to-back since he wasn’t available for Pakistan. He has done exceptionally well both as a player and a skipper,” he said.
Kumble also praised Bavuma’s bowling adjustments and leadership.
“I thought he did really well in bringing on Aiden Markram when there were two left-handers at the crease. Washington Sundar had a good look at Simon Harmer and seemed comfortable. And maybe that one over from Keshav Maharaj, I felt that was where he got the wrong bowler on, because Axar was certainly taking him on.
“But he took a gamble that ultimately paid off. It cost South Africa 16 runs, but it paid off. Overall, I thought his usage of bowlers was excellent. He never used Wiaan Mulder at all in the innings. He ensured that the tall Marco Jansen, Corbin Bosch, and the two spinners along with the smart use of Markram were enough,” he said.
