IND vs SA, 1st Test: We Didn’t Bowl Badly, Rohit & Agarwal Were Clinical, Says Maharaj

Proteas spinner Keshav Maharaj stated that they didn’t bowl badly but it was just sheer brilliance of Indian openers that took the game away from their hold

Indian openers – Rohit Sharma and Mayank Agarwal – kept the South African bowlers on their toes as the duo stitched a 317-run opening stand in the first Test in Visakhapatnam. After going wicketless on the opening day, the visitors managed to affect 7 dismissals but the damage was already as the hosts posted 507 runs before declaring the innings. After the second day’s play, spinner Keshav Maharaj stated that the Proteas bowling unit didn’t bowl badly but it was just sheer brilliance of Indian openers that took the game away from their hold. Maharaj (3/189 in 55 overs) bowled his heart out but did not get the support from the other end in Dane Piedt (107/1 in 19 overs) or debutant Senuran Muthusamy (63/1 in 15 lovers), who did take the prized wicket of Virat Kohli. “I wouldn’t say they bowled poorly. I personally judge if someone comes down the wicket and hits you, it’s not a bad ball. If you are getting hit from the crease, if you are getting cut, then it’s a different story,” said Maharaj, after day two of the first Test. “Piedt was unlucky. Mayank played superbly well and so did Rohit. Literally everything they wanted to do paid off, it was their day. I wouldn’t look too much if they bowled badly or anything. Sen is an all-rounder, a batting all-rounder, so his contribution in his first Test went pretty well, especially in tough conditions,” he said. On the other hand, India spinners bowled faster than the guests and got more purchase out of the surface. Maharaj said the deteriorating pitch was also a reason Indian spinners doing well. “I also think the deterioration also plays a massive factor in terms of the pace of the ball. Obviously, with the wicket not spinning, you try to beat the batsman through the air and maybe slow it to get some assistance. “Maybe, the odd faster ball might grip. But yeah, the deterioration of the wicket does play a pivotal factor in terms of the speeds that you do play.”