Is it, that the Indian team finds it difficult to win on turning tracks, or favours wickets that have less for bowlers in it? On Saturday, the 2nd Test between India and South Africa got underway, and by the looks of it, Guwahati wicket looked a lifeless one, that aided the batters. But still, due to sheer bowling brilliance, the bowlers managed to restrict the opposition to 247/6.
Ryan Ten Doeschate Opens on up Pitches
And coach Ryan Ten Doeschate gave a thumbs up to the playing surface. “I think this sort of wickets, you know, maybe do suit us a little bit better. You have got to be prepared to fight really hard and this game is going to go deep,” the coach said at the conference, quoted as saying by RevSportz.
Ten Doeschate also raised the point, that Kuldeep Yadav is a wicket-taking option, and hence is in the team. But that, also places doubts on India’s decision to bench him for five straight matches in England. “He (Kuldeep) is a wicket-taker and that’s why we are picking (him). Like I said, I thought everyone bowled well. But maybe the fact that he sort of gets overspin, and with the red soil and a little bit more pace in the wicket, maybe it was slightly more effective in the conditions today.”
Kuldeep Yadav the Wicket-taker
As a matter of fact, after making his Test debut in 2017, Kuldeep is only appearing in his 17th Test, where his strike-rate has been only 36. Coming back to the proceedings on the day one of the IND vs SA Test, the chinaman was the one who brought India back into the match.
At one stage, the Proteas were cruising at 82/0, but the spinner picked up three wickets, to dent their chances. Despite getting starts, none of their batters got to a fifty. Tristan Stubbs got a valuable 49 though.
