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Veteran India cricketer Bhuvneshwar Kumar defended the team for their 30-run defeat to South Africa in the first Test of the two-match series against South Africa. He also wasn't critical of the widely criticised Eden Gardens pitch that provided quite a lot of help to the spinners.
The Eden Gardens pitch became the centre of attention after the first Test got wrapped up within just three days. The track proved to be heaven for spinners from both sides, who absolutely dominated over the batters. South Africa spinner Simon Harmer was the pick of the bowlers, picking up a total of eight wickets in two innings and was even adjudged as the Player of the Match.
Bhuvneshwar's take on Eden track
Bhuvneshwar defended the pitch amid brutal criticism and remarked that it isn't the first time that a track heavily favouring the spinners was made in India. He also feels that the defeat isn't a big deal by any means.
“This is not the first time a spin-friendly track has been prepared. No one raised this question (before) because India was winning. And, winning and losing is part of the game. It’s not that the team has not lost before or it has lost for the first time. I don’t think it’s (defeat) a big worry for me," Bhuvneshwar said, as quoted by PTI.
“The way the wicket was prepared, we all know that the requirement was for four spinners (Axar Patel, Ravindra Jadeja, Kuldeep Yadav and Washington Sundar). We had some good spinners, it was a turning track and the way the match went, it was a good decision to play (four) spinners," he added.
Bhuvneshwar on Gill's workload
Bhuvneshwar also shared his views on the debate regarding Shubman Gill's workload. With the latter being an all-format player, he has been playing cricket all throughout the year and this has raised concerns regarding his fitness. However, Bhuvneshwar believes that Gill will speak out himself if his body is taking a toll on him because of playing too many matches.
“Gill has become captain recently. If he so desires (a rest), he would speak out for himself. He is part of the think-tank, decision-making, so if he really needs rest he will say that he needs rest. Mentally and physically he is in a position to say that," Bhuvneshwar stated.
Meanwhile, India will be looking to bounce back from the first Test loss in the second match that will commence from November 22 at the Barsapara stadium in Guwahati. It will be essential for the Men in Blue to win this game in order to avoid a series defeat to the Proteas at home.
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