English
New Delhi: Cricket legends VVS Laxman and Allan Donald severely criticized India’s team selection for the ongoing second Test against South Africa, saying the move to play Ishant Sharma at the expense of Bhuvneshwar Kumar was baffling.
Coming into the game after a 72-run defeat in the first Test, India made three changes to their playing XI, with KL Rahul replacing Shikhar Dhawan and Ishant coming in for Bhuvneshwar, whose three-wicket burst in the first morning at Cape Town rocked the hosts.
Wicketkeeper Wriddhiman Saha was ruled out due to a strain and Parthiv Patel was included in his place.
Former India batsman Laxman was left surprised and he tweeted, “I am surprised not to find Bhuvi in the playing XI today. In the first Test, he took the most number of wickets (6 wickets) showing skill in using the new ball & batted quite well showing patience nd resilience. Am I missing something here ??”
Iam surprised not to find Bhuvi in the playing XI today. In the first test,he took the most number of wickets (6 wickets)showing skill in using the new ball & batted quite well showing patience nd resilience.Am I missing something here
— VVS Laxman (@VVSLaxman281) January 13, 2018
Donald tweeted, “@BhuviOfficial left out..You are kidding me????”
@BhuviOfficial left out..you are kidding me??
— Allan Donald (@AllanDonald33) January 13, 2018
“Don’t understand how you can leave a bowler out that don’t have more bounce than a taller bowler @ImIshant. @BhuviOfficial has so much skill and accuracy that he brings. It’s like leaving out @VDP_24!” pace legend Donald wrote on his twitter handle, while also making a reference to South Africa pacer Vernon Philander, who ran through the Indian batting in the second innings of the first Test, claiming a career-best six-wicket haul at Cape Town.
Don’t understand how you can leave a bowler out that don’t have more bounce than a taller bowler @ImIshant. @BhuviOfficial has so much skill and accuracy that he brings. It’s like leaving out @VDP_24!
— Allan Donald (@AllanDonald33) January 13, 2018
Former India batsman Vinod Kambli and left-arm pacer Rudra Pratap Singh also made their displeasure public.
“Virat and the Team Management are surprising their own players and confusing us.Heeee ha????????”
Virat and the Team Management are surprising their own players and confusing us.Heeee ha https://t.co/ASGjyzzAmn
— VINOD KAMBLI (@vinodkambli349) January 13, 2018
While RP wrote, “Perception isn’t the truth but it’s bigger than truth these days” And may be that’s why Bhuvi isn’t a part of playing 11.”
“Perception isn’t the truth but it’s bigger than truth these days” And may be that’s why Bhuvi isn’t a part of playing 11. #IndvSAonSonyTen3
— R P Singh (@RpSingh99) January 13, 2018
Bhuvneshwar was the pick of the India bowlers in Cape Town, taking six wickets while batting resolutely.
Virat Kohli’s team had folded for 135 in their second innings while chasing 208 to win the opening Test. (With PTI inputs)
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