SA v India 2018: We (India) could have bowled better, says Bhuvneshwar Kumar

It was an eventful day’s play at the Newlands in Cape Town as hosts South Africa ended the opening day’s play of the 1^st Test on an advantageous position but not before the Indian bowlers troubled the South African batters on a consistent basis and bowled them out for 286 in 72 overs. It was an exceptional piece of swing bowling by Bhuvneshwar Kumar as he finished with a four-wicket haul and reduced the hosts to 12/3.

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Bhuvneshwar Kumar was simply unplayable in the first few overs which troubled the hosts throughout the first ten overs. After the first three wickets, it was skipper Faf du Plessis, and AB de Villiers who resurrected South Africa’s innings with a commendable partnership of 114 runs as the Proteas went to lunch in a relatively better position.

Both played some tremendous shots, and it was de Villiers who started counter-attacking Bhuvneshwar Kumar who was India’s most strike bowler throughout the day. He smashed Bhuvi for 17 runs in an over which put him off and the South Africans cashed in on the opportunity. Debutant Jasprit Bumrah castled De Villiers with a terrific inswinging delivery which breached his defense and breached his defense.

The lower order contributed in a good way as the South Africans recovered from a precarious situation and managed to score 286 in their 1^st essay. Quinton de Kock played some eye-catching shots and pierced the off side field on a consistent basis. He took on Bhuvi with disdain but eventually it was the Swing Master who foxed him with a terrific inswinger which took the edge of his blade and was safely pouched by Wriddhiman Saha behind the stumps.

Keshav Maharaj and Kagiso Rabada stitched together a valuable partnership towards the fag end of the innings which took the hosts to a respectable score.

Man of the Day Bhuvneshwar Kumar spoke after the day’s play. Here are his quotes:

“Amazing day, that’s how Test cricket is. To be honest, we could have bowled better. We gave 25-30 runs extra. Just wanted to bowl in good areas. Wanted to get the batsmen out caught behind or in the slips. Knew it doesn’t swing much in South Africa. In Test cricket, top of off-stump is an area where every batsman is vulnerable. He’s (Amla) the kind of batsman who can make big hundreds if he gets going. Very pleasing to get him out. Never felt the wicket would be slow. Thought there would be lateral movement and that’s what happened. Overall we’re happy with the way we’ve bowled. AB is best in the world. You have to be at your best to bowl to him. His counter-attack hurt us. It’s gonna be tough (the way forward). We knew these are the situations we’ll have to tackle with.”