The first Test between India and South Africa at Eden Gardens, Kolkata, opened with a gripping concoction of tactical surprises, pitch espionage and quality fast bowling. India returning back to red ball cricket at home after a long break began the two match series with a bold approach to the selection and also couple of unexpected calls which as soon as brought the lime light on the team management.
The biggest talking point came even before lunch when Washington Sundar walked out to bat at No.3 – a position that is traditionally demanding of technical solidity and temperament. Sundar, better known as an utility spin-bowling all-rounder, was forced into an important role in the top-order after the exclusion of Sai Sudharsan. The move was a surprise as Sudharsan had just started bedding in on the Test set-up. Sundar however was composed and ended the day unbeaten on 6, taking blows, leaving deliveries, and focussing on survival as India looked to stabilise after the early pressure.
The rejigged XI also saw return of Axar Patel and Dhruv Jurel replacing Nitish Kumar Reddy and Sudharsan. But, it was what really shocked the world when Jasprit Bumrah revealed that he knew nothing about Sundar’s promotion. Speaking at the end of the day’s play, Bumrah had clarified that he was not involved in the decision making around the batting order.
“I’m not captain at the moment,” he said. I’m certain the management had their reasons.” I wasn’t involved in those conversations, but we support whoever is given a role. Every player is believed in to deliver.”
Bumrah’s honesty brought an added layer of intrigue to India’s internal game plan, and the questions are now being raised on the team’s leadership dynamics and whether this was a call driven by the conditions or a call driven by the experiment.
Conditions, in fact, were a major part of the story in the day. South Africa’s batting coach Ashwell Prince criticised the surface for its inconsistent bounce, saying that it had an unpredictable bounce from the first session. His comments caused controversy but Bumrah strongly refuted the complaints.
“That’s the challenge of Test cricket,” was his response. “Every country has something different to offer. In South Africa, a Test was wrapped up in five sessions. In England, the ball swoons throughout the day/ In Australia the bounce is different. We don’t complain–we adapt.”
But the new ball was tough for Bumrah himself to negotiate, and it worked wonders for him. He has explained how in his very first over, the pitch showed all possible behaviours – swing, seam movement and even the occasional low bounce. “Everything happened,” he said. “When the ball is new, the deviation is more sharp.” Once it’s done and it softens, it’s going to be about hitting consistent lengths.”
As Day 1 drew to a close the match was delicately poised. India’s choice of gamblers was not going unnoticed, South Africa’s worry about the pitch was a point of tension and so was Bumrah’s early rhythm which promised to be more to come. With both sides out to establish early and dominance in the series, the Eden Gardens Test is turning out to be an interesting battle of tactics, temperament and adaptability.
