So Mahendra Singh Dhoni seemed to suggest at the toss. Defying South Africa’s strong stand at the end of the first day’s play, he claimed to be satisfied with the bowlers’ performances.
Chatting with Ravi Shastri, the Indian captain spoke about how Rohit Sharma’s injury from practice left him with no batsmen to pick. Why was that?
That was because V.V.S. Laxman was present in the team but the fitness report did not come in favour of his presence in the playing XI. The first Test between India and South Africa in the important India South Africa Test series began in Nagpur but without Dhoni having to name reserve wicket keeper Wriddhiman Saha in the playing XI even though Dhoni himself would keep wickets.
In Yuvraj Singh and Rahul Dravid’s absence, India were not entirely spoilt for choice. And with only Rohit Sharma asked to stay with the Indian team as a cover, apparently going ahead with the likes of Subramaniam Badrinath was not enough.
However, Dhoni refused to blame his bowlers as Jacques Kallis and Hashim Amla made the most of their opportunity after India suffered the early hiccups.
While Zaheer Khan was clearly the pick of the bowlers for India, he felt the pitch was slow and did not particular aid pace or spin and none could really be blamed on a day when the batsman played a game of chance as much of grit and patience.
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