Former India cricketer Anil Kumble questioned head coach Gautam Gambhir and stand-in captain Rishabh Pant's decision not to give bowling to pace spearhead Jasprit Bumrah to start the third day's play on a challenging Eden Gardens surface during the first Test match against South Africa.
Anil Kumble questions Gautam Gambhir and Rishabh Pant
Team India who featured with 10 batters after Shubman Gill sustained a neck injury, lost the first Test match of the Gandhi-Mandela Trophy 2025 against South Africa by 30 runs. Kumble, who was the head coach of India, reckons that the 124-run target was too much as South Africa were 63 for 7 at the start of day 3.
"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.
Kumble praised Temba Bavuma
Kumble also lavished praise on South Africa captain Temba Bavuma, saying he doesn't always get the credit he deserves despite leading the team to the World Test Championship win against defending champions Australia earlier this year.
"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 said.
How Shubman Gill got injured in 1st Test
Gill, who has been playing continuous cricket since the Anderson-Tendulkar Trophy 2025 against England felt pain in his neck immediately after executing a sweep for four off South Africa spinner Simon Harmer, and had left the field after receiving some initial treatment from the team's medical staff. After that, the batter was hospitalised and missed the rest of the Test match
Will Shubman Gill play second Test against South Africa?
There are chances that the stylish batter will also miss the second Test match, which will take place at ACA Stadium in Guwahati.
"A call on Shubham Gill will be taken in the next 24 hours. BCCI don't want to rush in Gill's case and with consultation of doctors call on him will be taken. Source Said as of now it's tough to say that he will play second test but lets see how he progresses in the next medical scan. if required he will be given proper time and rest. We will take a call" a BCCI source close to the development told Sports Tak.