IND vs SA: Sanjay Manjrekar Blames This Player For India's Collapse vs South Africa On Day 1 Of Cape Town Test
Published - 04 Jan 2024, 01:26 PM | Updated - 23 Aug 2024, 12:24 AM
Former Indian batter Sanjay Manjrekar has blamed the Cape Town pitch for India’s sudden batting collapse on day 1 of the Cape Town Test. India were bowled out for 153 losing their last six wickets for zero runs.
On the same day, South Africa batted first after winning the toss and was bowled out for 55. Mohammed Siraj took 6/15 as he triggered a batting collapse for the Proteas. By the end of the day’s play, the hosts were 62/3 still trailing India’s first innings score by 36 runs.
Sanjay Manjrekar speaking to Star Sports blamed India’s new-age batting technique and the pitch for the way it behaved behind India’s dramatic collapse in the first innings.
Sanjay Manjrekar Slams India’s New-Age Batting After Batting Debacle
“I think it’s got a lot to do with the pitch. It’s got a bit to do with the new-age batting that’s maybe not focusing on defence as much, understandably because Test cricket has been the third format when it comes to priority. So if there’s a bit of life in the pitch, then these things happen. It was almost like the bowlers were wearing a cape in Cape Town,” said Manjrekar.
Manjrekar further said that not all the bowlers bowled well on the opening day adding that Mohammed Siraj and Mukesh Kumar bowled well for India while Kagiso Rabada did the same for the Proteas. Siraj registered his career-best Test figures, claiming six wickets while leaking just 15 runs in nine overs.
“One of the interesting things is, 55 all out for South Africa but when you look at the bowling attack, Siraj bowled superbly and Mukesh Kumar supported him. So, two bowlers hit their straps. Even for South Africa, Rabada was good. When you see scores like this with collapses on both sides, you would think that all four bowlers were at the top of the game,” Manjrekar added.
The batting performances from both teams led several records to being broken on the opening day. 23 wickets were lost on day one with 270 runs scored. This is the second most wickets lost in a Test match since the Australia vs England Test match in Melbourne in 1902. 23 wickets also ranked amongst the most wickets lost in a day in a test match.
South African skipper Dean Elgar after the end of the day’s play said that he would be happy to take a 100-run lead. The Proteas still trail by 36 runs to India’s first innings total of 153 with seven wickets remaining in their second innings. The top three batters are back in the hut including skipper Elgar who scored 4 and 12 in his last Test match.
“I would take 100 (lead) all day,” Elgar told reporters. “When our bowlers click they can rip through any batting line-up and on this wicket that is possible. I didn’t know the wicket would play in that way, though. With the naked eye, it did not look so bad. I don’t know what to make of this pitch” said Elgar after the first day’s play in Cape Town.
Also Read: IND vs SA: “Dont Think South Africa …” – Sunil Gavaskar Backs India To Win 2nd Test In Cape Town
