'Not giving first over to your best bowler was questionable': Anil Kumble not happy with Rishabh Pant's game tactics in 1st Test

India's spin legend Anil Kumble described the tactical decision not to hand the ball to lead pacer Jasprit Bumrah at the start of the third day's play on the challenging Eden Gardens surface as 'questionable'.

Anil Kumble openly questions Rishabh Pant's strategic call

Kumble's remarks followed India's humiliating 30-run defeat against South Africa in the first Test on November 16. The match concluded on the third afternoon when India, set a target of only 124 runs to win, were bowled out for a mere 93 runs.

"A target of 123 was a bit too much. When the day started, South Africa were 63 for 7 and that was the lead. Temba Bavuma was still there. But having spread-out fields and not giving the first over to your best bowler, Jasprit Bumrah, was questionable. All three wickets that fell were to the fast bowlers," Kumble said on JioHotstar.

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He doesn't get the recognition he deserves as a captain: Pant

However, Kumble offered high praise for South Africa skipper Temba Bavuma. He also said that despite having led his team to the World Test Championship (WTC) glory earlier this year, Temba does not gets the credit he truly deserves for his leadership and performance.

"Overall, India were certainly outdone by South Africa. Credit to Temba Bavuma - he doesn't get the recognition he deserves as a captain. He has won 10 out of 11 Test matches as skipper for South Africa and has won a Test Championship for them. He doesn't get the kind of credit other international captains receive. As a batter, too, he has produced two quality innings, one in the WTC final and one here, literally back-to-back since he wasn't available for Pakistan. He has done exceptionally well both as a player and a skipper," he added.

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Former India's head coach then went on to laud Bavuma's captaincy acumen and highlighted his decision to introduce Aiden Markram when there were two left-handers at the crease.

"I thought he did really well in bringing on Aiden Markram when there were two left-handers at the crease. Washington Sundar had a good look at Simon Harmer and seemed comfortable. And maybe that one over from Keshav Maharaj, I felt that was where he got the wrong bowler on, because Axar was certainly taking him on. But he took a gamble that ultimately paid off. It cost South Africa 16 runs, but it paid off. Overall, I thought his usage of bowlers was excellent. He never used Wiaan Mulder at all in the innings. He ensured that the tall Marco Jansen, Corbin Bosch, and the two spinners along with the smart use of Markram were enough," Kumble concluded.