Sunil Gavaskar slams Indian batmen for collapse in Cape Town Test

The Indian team made a promising start in the first Test in Cape Town after an inspired bowling performance from Bhuvneshwar Kumar saw the hosts being reduced to a measly 12 for 3. It was then that Proteas skipper Faf du Plessis and AB de Villiers steadied the innings but their efforts were cut short as the Indian bowlers picked up all 10 wickets inside day one.

However, the Men in Blue failed to capitalize on the chance. The Indians ended up losing three quick wickets before the end of day’s play, forcing them on the backfoot. And evidently former captain and batting legend Sunil Gavaskar was not happy with their approach on the opening day of the first Test

Speaking on Sony TEN1 TV in the pre-match show from Newlands stadium, Gavaskar said, “It is a tough ask for Indians (today). It could have been avoided (28/3).”

He added, “Simply not sensible. They should have given themselves little more time. A score of 20/0 would have given them a much better chance when you have only five regular batsmen,” Gavaskar added.

India needs a good partnership to avoid conceding a huge first-innings lead

India lost its top 3 batsmen Murali Vijay (1), Shikhar Dhawan (16) and skipper Virat Kohli (5) in quick succession as they fell prey to the South African quicks. Philander, Steyn and Morne Morkel claimed a wicket apiece to lead the hosts to a commanding position. They slumped to 28/3 at stumps in reply to 286, with Rohit Sharma and Cheteshwar Pujara at the crease.

The top-order needed to be more patient and should have tried to play out the remaining overs of the day. If India had managed to lose a maximum of one wicket by the end of the day’s play, they would’ve been on the driver’s seat.

The second day will only get trickier and they now need to produce a good partnership to avoid conceding a huge first-innings lead.

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