India vs South Africa: India Lacked Professionalism in Johannesburg ODI, Says Sunil Gavaskar

New Delhi: Former India opener Sunil Gavaskar lashed out on wrist-spinner Yuzendra Chahal, who bowled a no-ball to South Africa batsman David Miller during the fourth ODI at Johannesburg, that allowed him to stay longer at the wicket and take the match away from India. That was a key moment for the Proteas, as Miller went on to score 39 crucial runs for his side, that helped South Africa win the game by 5-wickets.

Chahal had castled Miller when he was batting on seven, but had overstepped the mark. In a post-match show Gavaskar said, “For me, it was that no-ball, where David Miller was clean bowled, and the way he recovered from it. That, for me, was the turning point. Till then, India seemed to be in control, they had also seen the back of AB de Villiers, who was batting well. When Miller was struggling to read Yuzvendra Chahal, India were certainly in the driver’s seat.”

“So clearly, I think there’s little bit of lack of professionalism there. Maybe a little bit of relaxation after the 3-0 situation and the South Africans took full advantage of it. They batted brilliantly after that, Miller batted brilliantly, (Heinrich) Klaasen was outstanding, (Andile) Phehlukwayo came in and smashed it,” he added.

The Indians had done well to dismiss AB de Villiers and looked in total control till the point Chahal made the costly error. After that, the South African batsmen stepped up their game and Miller along with Heinrich Klaasen strung a crucial partnership. South Africans achieved the target with 15 balls to spare.

Gavaskar was severe on the bowlers making an error in their run-ups and bowling no-balls in modern day cricket. “I will be perfectly honest. In modern-day cricket, with all the technology available, nobody should be bowling no balls. One can understand bowling a wide, down the leg side because that (wide rule) is a very strict interpretation. There should ideally bowl no wides on the offside also,” said the 68-year-old.

“Fast bowlers can sometimes overstep. However, because its 50-over cricket, because there is a free hit after the no ball, I don’t think fast-bowlers should also be bowling no-balls. They, after all, use a lot of tapes to measure from here to there (run-up distance) and then how does a no ball come through,” he further added.

First Published: February 12, 2018, 3:53 PM IST

India vs South Africa: India Lacked Professionalism in Johannesburg ODI, Says Sunil Gavaskar