IND vs SA: Watch - Sunil Gavaskar, Irfan Pathan Give Key Suggestions To India Ahead Of 2nd Test

India faced a dominant loss against South Africa in the first Test of the two-match series by an innings and 32 runs. The Indian team showcased a poor batting show in Centurion and were wrapped for 131 runs in the second innings while chasing down South Africa’s first-innings lead of 163 runs. As the visitors will be facing the Proteas in the second Test match from January 3, former Indian cricketers Sunil Gavaskar and Irfan Pathan have given some key advice to Team India.

As per Sunil Gavaskar, the Indian team batters shall look to play beside the line of the ball rather than playing behind. Gavaskar stated that if a batsman plays beside the line of the ball, he can allow it to pass or play it late by dropping the wrist. However, if the batsman plays behind the line, there are chances that he can get hit on the body.

Sunil Gavaskar and Irfan Pathan offer million-dollar advice to Team India

Sunil Gavaskar said to Star Sports, “A couple of things, they need to look to get beside the line of the ball rather than behind the line of the ball. When you get beside the line of the ball then you can allow the ball to pass by easily by dropping your wrist.

“But, if you are behind the line and if you drop your wrist, you can get hit. So, those are a couple of things to make the adjustment with. Try and and play as late as possible as that will give the batsmen the time to decide whether to play the ball or to leave the ball.”

Irfan Pathan was also among the cricket experts who gave his advice to the Indian team for the second Test match against the Proteas. As per Irfan, the batsmen should give a lot of attention to the new ball and the middle-order batsmen shall also practice with it. Pathan added that the new ball in South Africa swings a lot and if the team lose early wickets this practice can benefit the team.

Irfan Pathan said, “Look, I think in South Africa you should pay a lot of attention to the new ball. Make the middle-order batsmen also practice with the new ball, because that ball keeps swinging. Anyway, if there is early breakthrough then we have to bat very early and face more new ball.

“Firstly, that preparation has been done and apart from that preparation, I think that the little lack of foot movement which we saw with Rohit Sharma too may be due to fatigue, may be due to pressure. You need to pay attention to that because you are not getting those half volleys, you are getting that ball a little away, so if your feet do not move properly in that, it will be difficult for you, so you need to pay attention to that.”

‘??? & ???? ?? ???? ?? ????????’#SunilGavaskar & @IrfanPathan shares guru mantra for #TeamIndia batsmen ahead of the Cape Town Test! ??

Tune-in to #SAvIND 2nd Test
WED, JAN 3, 12:30 PM | Star Sports Network pic.twitter.com/9rOqGxb9lV

— Star Sports (@StarSportsIndia) December 31, 2023

India have lost their last two matches in Cape Town when they played here in the 2018 and 2021 tour. The Indian team might once again face the tough challenge in Cape Town in the second Test match.