New Delhi: The third and final cricket Test between India and South Africa came under the scanner due to the poor pitch condition. After setting up a difficult 241-run target for South Africa on Day 3, the visitors were off to a good start and dented South Africa’s chase as Mohammed Shami removed Aiden Markram early in the second innings of the Proteas.
However, a few moments later, South African batsman Dean Elgar got a nasty blow in his head and immediately called for medical attention. The incident halted the play as the two umpires walked off the field after discussing the pitch condition between themselves.
Meanwhile, Indian legend Sunil Gavaskar, who was sitting in the commentary box, believed that there was no need to stop the play as it was Elgar, who was himself responsible for getting hit in the helmet and it had nothing to do with the pitch condition.
India vs South Africa 3rd Test Day 3 Highlights: IND in Command After Denting SA's Chase
The ball didn’t jump off a good length and it was a short ball, pitched 8.45 metre away from the wicket. Considering that Jaspreet Bumrah used his wrist to get a zip and the ball was new, it resulted in a decent lift, opined Gavaskar. Even South African commentators agreed with Gavaskar and believed that Elgar was hit due to his own mistake.
The former India captain also added that if the Indians had declined to play in a similar situation they would have been called ‘sissies’ by the global cricketing community.
“If India were batting, chasing 241 runs in the fourth innings, and if the Indian team were disconsolate (with the awkward bounce of the pitch), they would have been called sissies. They would have been called sissies, because unfortunately, India has this reputation. Despite the Kohlis, the Tendulkars, the Dravids, the Sehwags, the Laxmans, they have got a reputation that on a fast and bouncy pitch, they don’t travel well,” said Gavaskar.
The Indian legend didn’t mince his words and continued to criticise the halt of play saying that the match should go on with similar conditions and South Africa has to endure like Indians negotiated in the middle. “The Indian batsmen should be commended for scoring 240- odd because it is a difficult pitch no doubt. No batsman can feel certain on a wicket like this and the unpredictable bounce makes it dangerous as well. But I don’t think the match should be abandoned,” Gavaskar told PTI