'I think South Africa has learned their lessons from the first Test', says former SA bowler on tactics against Bumrah

Former South Africa bowler Fanie de Villiers has applauded his team's tactics as South Africa were successful in keeping Jasprit Bumrah shut in the second Test. According to him, the hosts learned their lessons from the first Test in Centurion as they got the tactics right in the affair in Johannesburg. The two nations will once again lock horns on Tuesday (January 11) as the Cape Town Test will serve as the decider in the three-match Test series.

“I don’t think it is a question of him lacking ability or he bowled badly. I think South Africa has worked him out. Since he has been India’s most important bowler, lots of team discussion has gone on how to tackle and survive Bumrah. I think South Africa has learned their lessons from the first Test,” the former South Africa player told The Indian Express.

“This is where he lacked in the second Test as South African batters were leaving so many deliveries from him. Even Elgar played him better than before, although he got hit a couple of times,” he added.

• Bumrah was far less ineffective at the Wanderers, as he could only manage to scalp one wicket, which was of Keshav Maharaj in the first innings and went wicketless in a spell of 17 overs while conceding 70 runs in the second innings as India lost the  match by seven wickets.

Fanie, who played 18 Test matches and 83 One Day Internationals for South Africa, believes Vernon Philander could be a great asset for the Proteas as he had a proven track record at the New Lands in Cape Town and the present players could be at good help if they exploit the conditions similarly like the former bowler.

“In South Africa, fuller deliveries have always been more successful. The bowler, who has got the ability to bowl both inswinger and outswinger, will be more effective. That’s the reason why Vernon Philander enjoyed his greatest successes at home and especially at the Newlands [venue of the last Test]," Fanie further added.

Both South Africa and India are well prepared for the final frontier in the Test before attentions move to ODIs. Captain Virat Kohli is all set to make his comeback as he was putting in sweats on Sunday during training sessions. Mohammed Siraj is most likely to be out as Ishant Sharma could come in his place. For Bumrah the odds lie against him as he will have to lay down a marker if India have to register their first Test series win on South African soil.