Former India cricketer Mohammad Kaif wasn't satisfied with the tactics that Rishabh Pant used during the first Test against South Africa. Notably, Pant was made the side's on-field skipper after Shubman Gill suffered a neck injury while batting and wasn't able to participate in the remainder of the match.
Though the Indian bowlers looked to be in full control with South Africa 91/7 at one stage, a gritty half-century from Temba Bavuma saw the Proteas reach a total of 153 before being bundled out. The target of 124 eventually proved to be too much for India on the spin-friendly Eden Gardens track as they got bowled out for only 93, losing the match by a 30-run margin.
Kaif points out flaws in Pant's tactics
Kaif pointed out that Pant's tactics saw South Africa constantly keep the scorboard ticking by taking singles. He further remarked that things would have been different if Gill was present on the field as not only would he have contributed well with the bat, but could have also taken better on-field decisions as the Men in Blue's regular captain in Tests.
"We gave them too many singles. Is it easy to score against four spinners on a turning track? Keep a mid-on, bring the point up, and ask the batters to take the challenge. The fielders were behind and 70-80% of their runs came in singles. Pant kept an in and out field with Gill not there and that also had an effect. He also took some time to understand things," Kaif said on his YouTube channel.
"There would have been a difference if Gill was there. He could not play both innings. If we got a better lead, say 50, 60 or 100 runs, we would put South Africa out of the game there itself. It was a miss. Not having him on the field as captain was also a miss. In the second innings he was not there in the chase. So there is definitely a direct connection as Gill is one of our best batters at the moment. He is in form as well such a player can save you in such situations," he added.
India hope to level up the series
Meanwhile, India will be looking to bounce back from the defeat in the first Test with the second and final match of the series that will be played from November 22 at the Barsapara stadium in Guwahati. It will be essential for the Men in Blue to win this match in order to avoid a series defeat.