Former Indian captain Sunil Gavaskar backed India to win the second Test in Cape Town saying that the South African batsmen cannot achieve a challenging score for the Indians in the second innings.

South Africa are 62/3 on Day 1 after India were bowled out for 153. They are still 36 runs behind and were bowled out for 55 in the first innings.

South Africa already lost their three best batsmen in the second innings and Gavaskar feels that the rest of the batsmen cannot put up a challenging score for India in the second innings. Dean Elgar in his final test scored 4 and 12 in the two innings. Tristan Stubbs and Tony de Zorzi scored one each and were sent off.

I don’t think South Africa has batsmen who can score 150-200 runs: Sunil Gavaskar

“Three wickets have already fallen. India continues to lead. So I don’t think this match can be out of reach for India. Yes, it may not be an innings victory. They (India) may have to bat a bit but I don’t think South Africa has batsmen who can score 150-200 runs and upset the Indian team a bit,” Gavaskar said on Star Sports while sharing his thoughts on the day. 1.

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Aiden Markram (36) and David Bedingham (7) were unbeaten at the end of Day 1. The duo needs to bat a lot and take the hosts to a score of respectability.

Former South African pacer Vernon Philander, who was part of that discussion, was also asked about South Africa’s decision to bat first on the Cape Town wicket. He said ELgar’s decision was influenced by the initial general conditions.

“It’s always complicated. Dean Elgar based his decision solely on the general conditions. I think it was scorching hot this morning and often when the sun comes out at Newlands you want to bat. Of course, the surface has shown us otherwise,” he stated.

While Gavaskar believes South Africa doesn’t have much chance in the game, Philander thinks otherwise. He believes South Africa still has a chance of winning the match if they get a lead close to 100.

“Personally, I think South Africa have 80 to 100 runs ahead and are not out of the game yet. I don’t think this terrain is going to get any easier. I think it will be faster in the sun and of course with a heavier pair of rollers. It might leave us with an interesting day 2,” she said.

Mohammed Siraj caused a collapse for South Africa on Day 1 as they were bowled out for 55. India were also bowled out for 153, losing their last six wickets without any score. Kagiso Rabada, Lungi Ngidi and Nandre Burger took three wickets each to defeat India on a 23-wicket day in Cape Town. Several records were broken on the first day, setting up an exciting day of cricket ahead of the second day of this Test match.

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