Elgar’s determination didn’t go as deliberate, leading to South Africa being dismissed for 55 runs, their lowest whole in opposition to India.
Although India initially appeared on observe for a considerable lead, they encountered a collapse, shedding their final six wickets for no runs and getting all out for 153, thereby limiting their first-innings benefit to 98 runs.
Gavaskar’s shock doubtless stems from the surprising flip of occasions within the match.
“Well, I tell you what, I was a bit surprised by what happened,” Gavaskar stated in his match evaluation on Star Sports.
“Because a lot of times, captains and coaches make a big deal about what the pitch is gonna be…”
Gavaskar expressed the opinion that, having dominated India and received the opening Test inside three days, South Africa had an ideal alternative to say their dominance by inserting India on a contemporary pitch within the second Test.
Gavaskar’s view doubtless displays the strategic benefit South Africa may have gained by exploiting the situations and placing India below stress early within the match. However, the end result of the match, with each groups dealing with challenges of their respective innings, could have added a component of unpredictability to the decision-making course of.
“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 innings and going to be batting first on a fresh pitch would have been just a little bit defensive,” Gavaskar said.
“And I’ve thought that South Africans with the quick bowlers that they’ve of their lineup may look to reap the benefits of the truth that they haven’t performed any cricket in between and subsequently put them in,” he added.
Gavaskar drew a parallel to the Adelaide Test in opposition to Australia, the place India was bowled out for 36, solely to make a exceptional comeback within the subsequent Melbourne Test in the course of the 2020-21 sequence.
The Adelaide Test was a difficult second for the Indian group, however they displayed resilience and character to bounce again and finally safe a memorable 2-1 sequence triumph.
“Something similar happened in Australia two years ago, Australia dismissed India for 36. The next Test played in Melbourne, where the grass on the pitch was three millimetres more than the one at Adelaide,” he added.
(With PTI inputs)
Source: timesofindia.indiatimes.com