'Surprising': Sanjay Bangar Says Inexperience Reason Behind Indian Bowling Attack's Below-par Show in Centurion

South Africa ended the second day’s play on a strong note having secured an 11-run lead over India in the Boxing Day Test in Centurion.

Dean Elgar, who is set to retire after this series, came up with a spectacular ton on Wednesday. Debutant David Bedingham scored a half-century to put his team in a good position.

Also Read: Karthik Says India Missing Shami in Centurion

Indian bowlers, on the other hand, had to toil hard with them unable to find the right line and length to trouble South Africa batters consistently.

Former India cricketer Sanjay Bangar felt that inexperience in the bowling department hurt the tourists.

He said the team “would be disappointed” with the way they bowled on Wednesday.

“In the second session when they leaked runs and had an average of five runs an over, was surprising for the quality of bowling attack that India possesses. The inexperience came to the fore as the plan was to probably pitch the ball slightly up but the swing wasn’t really there. And that meant a lot of deliveries were driven by Elgar and De Zorzi, and later on the same trend continued,” Bangar said on Star Sports.

“Overall I feel that the Indian team would be disappointed with how they bowled because they put runs on board. 245, by any stretch of the imagination, was going to be a tough score to get close to but South Africa have in fact surpassed it,” the former India batting coach added.

Jasprit Bumrah and Mohammad Siraj picked up two wickets each for India on Day 2.

Test debutant Prasidh Krishna scalped the other wicket.

Krishna claimed his maiden Test dismissal having sent South Africa wicketkeeper Kyle Verreynne back to the dressing room for four in the 62nd over of the innings. Shardul Thakur and Ravichandran Ashwin have remained wicketless so far.

Elgar was the star player of the day, producing a clinical knock that comprised 23 fours. The opener registered his 14th Test century and a first at his home ground in Centurion.

The southpaw remained not out on 140 from 211 balls. Marco Jansen is unbeaten at the other end on three.