Former India international Ravichandran Ashwin praised South Africa captain Temba Bavuma for outperforming the Indian batters in the first Test at Eden Gardens, Kolkata. The Proteas sealed a memorable 30-run victory on November 16, their first win in India in 15 years, to take a 1-0 lead in the two-match series.
Bavuma was the backbone of the second innings, scoring an unbeaten 55 off 136 balls to lift his team from a tough position and extend the lead to 123, which ultimately proved match-winning. He frustrated the Indian attack by adding vital runs alongside the lower order.
Ravichandran Ashwin highlighted that Bavuma looked more composed and technically solid on a challenging pitch, whereas the Indian batters struggled in both innings.
“So, on a pitch, where you have to fear the pacers and the spinners, and run scoring options are limited, then it is very difficult. So, credit to South Africa, despite Maharaj having a very ordinary game, they came out on top.”
“The way Temba Bavuma played in this game, I have not seen too many Indian batters also bat like that. Washington Sundar defended outstandingly, Axar Patel has a class defence, but I have not seen too many players defend like Bavuma,” R Ashwin said on his YouTube channel.
“Old-Era Batters Would Handle Spin Better, India Should Avoid Tough Pitches”- Ashwin
R Ashwin criticised the current generation of Indian batters for their struggles against spin, suggesting that players from earlier eras would have handled such conditions far more effectively. He also urged the team management to avoid preparing these kinds of pitches until the transitioning batting lineup gains stability and experience.
“In the past, greats like Tendulkar and Muzumdar would handle spin on tough pitches for four days. Today, only 3-4 batters defend well out of 15-16. If you can’t play spin, don’t play on turning pitches. Teams like South Africa are better against spin, so we can’t rely on turning wickets for home advantage; safer surfaces, like Delhi’s, suit us better.”
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