Ind-SA: Comprehensive Win But Debate Over Pitch Continues

07 November, Mohali

Team India gave the nation the perfect Diwali gift as they crushed South Africa by 108 runs to clinch the first Test at the Punjab Cricket Association (PCA) ground here and go 1-0 up in the four-match rubber.

Contrary to the usual Mohali pitch, which assists the pacers with its bounce and pace, the curators prepared a dry pitch which helped the slower bowlers as nine out of 12 wickets fell to the tweakers on the first day.

The pitch came under heavy criticism as it gradually started to deteriorate with the slower bowlers from either side dominating the bat to finish the match with two days to spare.

Indian spinners Ravichandran Ashwin,Amit Mishra and man of the match Ravindra Jadeja were at their lethal best as the trio accounted for 19 out of the 20 African wickets. Skipper Virat Kohli’s strategy of going into the match with five specialist bowlers worked though the pacers – Varun Aaron and Umesh Yadav – only bowled 20 of the 108 overs which the Proteas batted.

While the bowlers performed brilliantly, Kohli and Team Director Ravi Shastri will be worried with the performance of the batters as they prepare for the next match in Bangalore.

With criticism pouring in over the pitch, Kohli, who registered his maiden win as skipper in Tests at home, slammed critics by saying that there were no real demons in the pitch and it was a bowlers game and batsmen had to give themselves a little more time to settle.

“I don’t think there were any demons in the wicket, the ball did not turn square at any stage, batsmen had to apply themselves. But basically it was a bowler’s game. If you see there were lots of soft dismissals from both ends,” said Kohli in a post-match chat.

“First Test as captain at home was a special occasion for me, it is a young team and we are building a strong team together.

“Seeing the way things have gone in the past month and half, the way we played here, a lot of credit has to go to the team. We thought if we are finding it difficult on this wicket, it is going to be difficult for them as well,” Kohli said.