Former Indian cricketer Aakash Chopra believes that South Africa’s bowlers extracted more from the surface compared to the slightly skidded Indian bowlers. Aakash Chopra said the South African bowlers made the most of the Centurion pitch due to its height advantage.
The Proteas claimed victory by an innings and 32 runs on Day 3 of the first Test. Kagiso Rabada and Nandre Burger were standout players, each taking seven wickets in both innings. The visiting team recorded scores of 245 and 131 in their two innings.
Jasprit Bumrah (4/69) and Mohammed Siraj (2/91) were the top contributors among the Indian bowlers during the series opener at Centurion. Shardul Thakur and Prasidh Krishna managed to get just two wickets and conceded 194 runs in 39 overs combined.
Shardul Thakur emerged as the most expensive Indian bowler in the Test, conceding 101 runs in 19 overs, while Prasidh Krishna gave away 93 runs in 20 overs and secured a solitary wicket. Spinner Ravichandran Ashwin recorded figures of 1/41 in his 19 overs.
This pitch was very helpful for the bowlers – Aakash Chopra
In a video shared on his YouTube channel, akash chopra He emphasized that the Indian bowlers faced challenges on the field as they lacked the height to benefit as much as their South African counterparts.
“This Centurion pitch was very helpful (for the bowlers). Some balls took off, like Dean Elgar got off Shardul Thakur or the way Yashasvi Jaiswal got off Nandre Burger’s bowling.” Chopra said.
“As their fast bowlers are tall, they make the most of the conditions, something our bowlers cannot. Our bowlers slip a little bit. “They’re not as tall and they don’t get as much help from the field as the opposing team.” he added.
It is very typical of openers – Aakash Chopra
The commentator praised Dean Elgar for his resilient innings and highlighted his ability to score runs when bowling with his strength. Chopra noted that the extended partnership of Elgar and Marco Jansen denied India’s chances of a comeback on the third day.
“Dean Elgar is like a stubborn, old-fashioned cricketer, a player made in the mold of Michael Atherton. He won’t bowl if you bowl outside off stump, he will bowl the cut if the ball is a bit short and he will pile on a lot of runs if you bowl over his legs. He is very typical of openers.” Aakash Chopra further stated.
“Good Test openers play like that and Dean Elgar did that job too. He played correctly and for a long time. As the third day’s play began, it looked like India could get back into the game, but for that Dean Elgar and Marco Jansen had to come out. “They both didn’t go out and got such a big advantage that it was over.”
Dean Elgar dominated the Indian bowlers from the start, scoring his 14th Test century in his farewell series. Elgar formed a 111-run stand with Marco Jansen (84) for the sixth wicket. The hosts scored a total of 408 runs, securing a 163-run lead in the first innings.
Also Read: IND vs SA: Aakash Chopra trolls broadcasters over KL Rahul’s historic ton in Centurion
