The Legend of Team India Cannot Fathom South Africa's Big Call at Toss says, 'Surprised by What Happened'
The captain of team India, Dean Elgar, would have regretted his decision to bat first on a pitch that turned out to be a fast bowler’s paradise, with wickets going down like ninepins on Day 1 of the first Test between India and South Africa at Newlands.
Batting legend Sunil Gavaskar was surprised by Elgar’s big call to ask an already under-pressure Indian team to bat first on a fresh pitch that was anyway expected to trouble batters.
Gavaskar said, “Well, I tell you what, I was a bit surprised by what happened. Because a lot of times, captains and coaches make a big deal about what the pitch is going to be.
The opening Test in Centurion saw India batters save for KL Rahul and Virat Kohli struggle against South African bowlers as the tourists suffered an innings defeat within three days.
Gavaskar said, “I think you’ve also got to look at the psychology of the Indian team; having been defeated in three days, having batted so poorly in the second inning, and going to be batting first on a fresh pitch would have been just a little bit defensive.”
He added, “And I have thought that South Africans, with the fast bowlers that they have in their lineup, could look to take advantage of the fact that they have not played any cricket in between and therefore put them in.”