SA vs IND 2018: Ex-India Skipper Cites Lack Of Acclimatisation As The Reason Behind Loss

With Team India’s poor overseas performance continuing under the captaincy of Virat Kohli too, former India batsman Ajit Wadekar believes Kohli & Co. did not get much time to get themselves acclimatized to conditions in South Africa.

The hopes were sky high from the current side. The Kohli-led side had gone to South Africa on the back of nine consecutive series wins and were widely tipped to end India’s long wait for the maiden Test series win in the rainbow nation. However, the team could not live up to expectations and are now in danger of being whitewashed after losing the second Test on Wednesday (January 17).

After losing the series-opener in Cape Town, India were thoroughly outplayed in Centurion too, losing the game by 135 runs to concede the series. Chasing 287, the Indian batsmen fell like a pack of cards and were eventually all out for just 151.

And while the blame game is set to remain in the news for the upcoming days, Wadekar feels the lack of preparation time cost India the series. At the same time, the former skipper also praised Kohli for his captaincy.

“He (Kohli) is a good captain, but basically (in) South Africa (it) is very difficult to win, because the wickets are very fast. Our team did not have enough time to get acclimatised to those conditions (in South Africa) and that may be the reason (for the loss),” Wadekar told PTI.

Wadekar further said that the board should learn the lessons from the latest overseas disaster and execute them in the future.

“I hope they learn the lesson because, they never seem to be learning the lessons and that’s the problem with them. Most of the guys (who are) in the (Cricket) Board haven’t (ever) handled the bat,” he said.

India faces the hosts in the third Test at Johannesburg next week, and Wadekar feels the visitors should show some fight. He also hoped to see the benched players getting a look in for the inconsequential game.

“We should try to fight it out. Generally, we play the same eleven and make one or two changes. Now those who are in reserve may be given a chance to see their potential at the highest level…that is very essential,” Wadekar said.

Here is the news feed:

SA vs IND 2018: Gautam Gambhir Shows Support to Team India After Losing the Series

South Africa Vs India, 2018: Faf du Plessis charged 40 percent for slow-over rate in Centurion