India’s embarrassing 30-run defeat to South Africa in the first Test at the Eden Gardens in Kolkata has sparked massive debate, but Bhuvneshwar Kumar has defended the team.
It was India’s first home defeat at the hands of the Proteas in 15 years, with experts criticizing their unstable batting lineup and a heavily ranked turner at Eden Gardens.
Bhuvneshwar Kumar urges calm as critics attack turning track
Many critics pointed out that India had learned nothing from last year’s 0-3 defeat at home against New Zealand, where spin had dominated the series. But Bhuvneshwar has defended the team and the Kolkata surface by making a bold statement.
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The Swing King reminded everyone that India have been playing on such turning tracks for years and insisted that the pitch was not the villain this time. He also pointed out that no one complains when India wins on the same wickets, urging fans to look at the bigger picture rather than panic after a setback.
The South African bowlers took full advantage of the spin-heavy track as India failed to chase the small target of 124 and the match ended inside three days. This defeat has certainly exposed India’s weak batting, but Bhuvneshwar believes that ups and downs are natural and the team will bounce back.
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“This is not the first time that a spin-friendly track has been designed. Nobody raised this question (earlier) because India were winning. And winning and losing is part of the game. It is not that the team has not lost before or it has lost for the first time. I don’t think it (loss) is a big concern for me,” Bhuvneshwar Kumar was quoted as saying by PTI.
Many cricket experts have criticized India’s decision to play four spinners – Axar Patel, Ravindra Jadeja, Kuldeep Yadav and Washington Sundar – at the Eden Gardens. However, the Indian fast bowler supported the move, saying that the team has chosen the best combination for the spinners in favorable conditions.
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He further added, “The way the wicket was prepared, we all know the requirement was four spinners (Akshar, Jadeja, Kuldeep and 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.”
Shubman Gill’s absence hurts India as Bhuvneshwar Kumar defends captain’s workload awareness
India missed captain Shubman Gill badly during the first Test as he was ruled out with a neck injury, but Bhuvneshwar Kumar declined to comment on whether his workload was to blame. The Indian fast bowler has emphasized that Gill understands his body and can take his own decisions.
He signed off by saying, “Gill has recently become the captain. If he wants, he will speak himself. He is part of the think tank and decision making, so if he really needs rest, he will say he needs rest. Mentally and physically, he is in a position to say that.”
Notably, South Africa currently leads the Test series 1-0, with the second and final Test starting on November 22 in Guwahati. After the two-match Test series, India and South Africa will face each other in three ODIs and five T20Is.
