Mohammad Kaif, the 2008 Indian Premier League (IPL) winner, criticized Rishabh Pant’s tactics following India’s loss to South Africa in the first Test. The Proteas defeated India by 30 runs at Eden Gardens, Kolkata, taking a 1-0 lead in the two-match series. Shubman Gill retired hurt in the first innings and did not return to the field, leaving Rishabh Pant to lead the team as captain.
In South Africa’s second innings, they were struggling at 91/7, giving India a chance to take control of the match. However, the hosts failed to capitalize, allowing the visitors to fight back and post 153. India were set a target of 124 runs but fell short, losing by 30 runs.
Kaif pointed out that India gave South African batters easy singles due to open field placements and blamed Pant’s captaincy for not enforcing tighter fields.
“We gave them too many singles. Is it easy to score against four spinners on a turning track? Keep a mid-on, bring the point up, and ask the batters to take the challenge. The fielders were behind and 70-80% of their runs came in singles. Pant kept an in and out field with Gill not there and that also had an effect. He also took some time to understand things,” he said on his YouTube channel.
India Felt Shubman Gill’s Absence As Batter And Captain In Test Loss, Says Mohammad Kaif
Mohammad Kaif also noted that India missed both Shubman Gill as a batter and as a captain. Gill scored just four runs off three balls before retiring hurt in the first innings. His absence was felt in the second innings, as India struggled to chase 124 and ultimately lost the Test.
“There would have been a difference if Gill was there. He could not play both innings. If we got a better lead, say 50, 60 or 100 runs, we would put South Africa out of the game there itself. It was a miss. Not having him on the field as captain was also a miss.”
“In the second innings he was not there in the chase. So there is definitely a direct connection as Gill is one of our best batters at the moment. He is in form as well such a player can save you in such situations,” he reflected.
India will need to recover in the second Test to prevent another home series loss. The match is set to start on November 22 in Guwahati.
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