IND vs SA: "Indian Bowlers Don't Get As Much Help From The Pitch That The Opposing Team Takes" - Aakash Chopra

Former Indian cricketer Aakash Chopra feels that South Africa’s bowlers extracted more from the surface compared to the slightly skiddy Indian bowlers. Aakash Chopra said that South African bowlers made the most of the Centurion pitch due to their height advantage.

The Proteas clinched victory by an innings and 32 runs on Day 3 of the first Test. Kagiso Rabada and Nandre Burger were standout performers, each claiming seven wickets across both innings. The visiting team posted scores of 245 and 131 in their two innings.

Jasprit Bumrah (4/69) and Mohammed Siraj (2/91) were the primary contributors among Indian bowlers during the series opener in Centurion. Shardul Thakur and Prasidh Krishna managed to pick up only two wickets while conceding 194 runs in a combined 39 overs.

Shardul Thakur emerged as the most expensive Indian bowler in the Test, conceding 101 runs from 19 overs, while Prasidh Krishna gave away 93 runs from 20 overs and secured a solitary wicket. Spinner Ravichandran Ashwin registered figures of 1/41 in his 19 overs.

This Pitch Had A Lot Of Help For The Bowlers – Aakash Chopra

In a video shared on his YouTube channel, Aakash Chopra emphasized that the Indian bowlers faced challenges on the pitch, lacking the height to benefit as much as their South African counterparts.

“This Centurion pitch had a lot of help (for the bowlers). Some balls took off, the way Dean Elgar got out to Shardul Thakur or the way Yashasvi Jaiswal got out off Nandre Burger’s bowling,” Chopra said.

“As their fast bowlers are tall, they get the most out of the conditions, which our bowlers aren’t able to. Our bowlers are slightly skiddy. They aren’t that tall and they don’t get as much help from the pitch that the opposing team takes,” he added.

It’s Very Typical Of Openers – Aakash Chopra

The commentator lauded Dean Elgar for his resilient innings, highlighting his ability to score runs when bowled to his strength. Chopra noted that Elgar and Marco Jansen’s extended partnership denied India’s chances to make a comeback on the third day.

“Dean Elgar is like an old-fashioned dogged cricketer, a player made in the mold of Michael Atherton. He won’t play if you bowl outside the off-stump, will play the cut if the ball is slightly short, and will accumulate a lot of runs if you bowl on his legs. It’s very typical of openers,” Aakash Chopra further stated.

“Good Test openers play like this and Dean Elgar also did that job. He played properly and for a long time. When the third day’s play started, it seemed like India could come back in the game, but for that Dean Elgar and Marco Jansen had to get out. Both didn’t get out and they got such a big lead, it was over.”

Dean Elgar dominated the Indian bowlers from the start, achieving his 14th Test century in his farewell series. Elgar formed a 111-run stand with Marco Jansen (84) for the sixth wicket. The hosts scored a total of 408 runs, securing a 163-run lead in the first innings.

Also read: IND vs SA: Aakash Chopra Trolls Broadcasters Over KL Rahul’s Historic Ton In Centurion