IND v SA: Shaun Pollock Points Out The Moments Where India Lost Out In The Series

Former South Africa pacer Shaun Pollock pinpointed the impact moments in the recently concluded Test series between South Africa and India, where the visitors failed to capture the moment and lost out on possibly winning the match and the series.

India conceded a seven-wicket defeat in the series decider against South Africa on Friday, as their wait for a maiden Test series victory in the country continued. Keegan Petersen (82) led a 212-run chase on Day 4 with ease, as the hosts resumed from 101/2 and lost just one more wicket, that of Petersen, as Bavuma and Van der Dussen completed the formalities.

Shaun Pollock Pinpoints Two Decisive Moments Where India Lost In The Series

The Proteas legend, Shaun Pollock during his conversation with Dinesh Karthik on Cricbuzz, listed out two major decisive moments when India’s batting failed them and they lost in the series. India batters failed to put up huge scores barring the first innings of Centurion Test when they scored 320-odd.

“I think where India lost in the series, twice, was in the third innings in the second and third Test. You just got around 200.. they needed to get a big score, maybe they were lured into (thinking) that 200 was enough, whereas I think they could’ve posted a lead over 300 on both occasions,” Pollock said.

“South Africa wouldn’t have been able to knock that off but I think you always do get a few positives that come out of it. I just do think India lost the opportunity coming here, having won in England and Australia. The South African side not at its strongest, having gone 1-0, you gotta feel that there’s a number one team in the world and it can ram up the home advantage there,” he added.

I Thought It Was Almost A Bit Of A Donation: Shaun Pollock On India Not Bowling Main Bowlers After Lunch

Shaun Pollock also pointed out the bizarre tactics of Virat Kohli, who opted to not bowl his three main bowlers in Mohammad Shami, Jasprit Bumrah, and Shardul Thakur after lunch on day 4 of the third day and called it a donation to the opposition.

“Thakur was brilliant at the Wanderers. I was surprised they (Bumrah, Shami and Thakur) didn’t bowl the session after the lunch break. I couldn’t work that one out, thought it was almost a bit of a donation!” said Pollock.

India and South Africa will now face off in a three-ODI series beginning from January 19 in Paarl. KL Rahul will captain India in ODIs for the first time.

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