Legendary Sunil Gavaskar has questioned Dean Elgar’s decision to bat first in the second Test match against India at Newlands, Cape Town on Wednesday. Elgar’s decision backfired as the Proteas were bundled out for a meager score of 55 runs, their lowest since readmission, in the first innings.

Only two South African batters could reach double digits as Mohammed Siraj returned with impressive figures of 6-15, his best in Test cricket. Gavaskar feels Indian batters would have been a bit tentative in their approach as they could only manage 131 runs in the second innings at Centurion and thus it would have made sense to put them into bat in the second Test.

Furthermore, there was enough help for the fast bowlers on the opening day of the Test match as 23 wickets were taken. There was extra bounce as well as movement and both teams were able to make the most of the conditions.

“Well, I tell you what I was a bit surprised by what happened. Because a lot of times, captains and coaches make a deal about what the pitch is gonna be. I think you’ve also got to look at the psychology of the Indian team, having been defeated in three days, having batted so poorly in the second innings and gonna be batting first on a fresh pitch would have been just a little bit defensive. And I have thought that be South Africans with the fast bowlers that they have in their in their lineup could look to take advantage of the fact that they have not played any cricket in between and therefore put them put them in,” Sunil Gavaskar said while speaking to Star Sports.

Gavaskar recalled how India bounced back against Australia after they were bundled out for a paltry score of 36 runs in Adelaide on the 2020-21 tour. The former Indian opener feels Elgar’s decision allowed India to bounce back in the ongoing series.

“Something similar happened in Australia two years ago, Australia dismissed India for 36. The next Test played in Melbourne, where the grass on the pitch was three millimetres more than the one at Adelaide. Australia batted first. India dismissed them for 190 got back in the game by the and they came into the bat on Day two. Here, it’s not Day two. The pitch had eased up considerably, so the psychology would have been. I mean, if I was the captain, I would have said No, I’m going to try and take advantage of the fact that they are not certain I’d like to insert India in,” Gavaskar added.

At stumps, South Africa were 62-3 in their second innings, trailing India by 36 runs.