SA vs IND 2018: Eric Simmons Heaps Praise On Indian Bowlers

While India’s batting performance might not have been up to the mark in the ongoing series against South Africa, their bowling performance has been an exception by a big mile. The fast-bowlers’ performances have been lauded by many and former India bowling coach Eric Simmons has also joined the bandwagon.

In fact, Simmons has been so impressed with the bowling performance that he equated them with the formidable South Africa pace attack.

“As a coach, I don’t always go according to the results. So, in both the first two Tests, India’s bowling attack has done a top job. What they did really well was have good tactics and plans in place, and they executed those plans too,” said Simmons who was with the Indian team when it lifted the 2011 World Cup.

India were thoroughly outplayed by the hosts with the bat in the first two Tests in Cape Town and Centurion but the bowling has been a big positive. The Indian pacers constantly troubled the South African batsmen and managed to pick up 10 wickets in all the four innings played so far, giving the team a big chance to win both the games. However, the batsmen failed to rise to the occasion on both the occasion which resulted in the team’s defeats in both the games.

“Cape Town and Centurion were different wickets, but on both of them, sometimes bowlers become impatient and try a lot of things. Indian bowlers though showed good patience and stuck to their plans,” Simmons said.

Again, the key to their bowling plans has been patience. We saw in Newlands that they beat the edge so many times but didn’t get frustrated when small partnerships happened. At Centurion, they bowled fuller lengths as per the conditions and didn’t give away too many runs.”

“South Africa’s bowling attack, in these conditions, is much more vaunted but in both Tests, India’s bowling has kept them to nearly the same scores and created chances of victory. That puts in perspective how well these guys have bowled,” he added.

He also spoke on Jasprit Bumrah’s initiation into Test cricket. Bumrah was a surprise pick in the playing eleven in both the games but has proved the decision right by dismissing the likes of AB de Villiers, Faf du Plessis, and Hashim Amla.

“I have seen him a few times, particularly in the shorter formats. The more variations you have, or the more unorthodoxy in your bowling action, the more advantage you have. He is somebody I could compare with Lasith Malinga, whose action was so different. The batsmen get so used to playing normal bowlers that these little variations help. Suddenly something different comes along and the ball doesn’t come to you quite how you expect it to, and that tends to help the bowler,” said Simmons.

The former coach also had a word of advise for the Indian batsmen ahead of the third Test as the visitors look to avoid a 3-0 whitewash.

“When Indian cricketers come to South Africa, it is not about the balls you play. Mostly it is about the balls you leave, and that often defines your innings. I don’t think they have left very well, especially in conditions at Cape Town. That got them into trouble and they became confused in the second innings. Even in Centurion on a different wicket, apart from Virat Kohli, they allowed South African bowlers to bowl at them rather than bowl in wider channels too often,” he said.

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