Former Pakistan captain Salman Butt reckons taking part in on difficult batting surfaces in South Africa has negatively impacted the thought strategy of Indian openers KL Rahul and Mayank Agarwal.
Rahul and Agarwal started the collection with 123 and 60 respectively within the first innings at Centurion. Nevertheless, they’ve struggled for fluency since. Rahul managed a fifty within the loss in Johannesburg however Agarwal’s uncertainty outdoors the off-stump has been uncovered again and again.
Analyzing the woes of the openers in South Africa, Butt opined that Rahul and Agarwal’s points are extra psychological than technical. Talking on his YouTube channel, the previous cricketer defined:
“Indian openers have been in excellent type (when the collection began) however if you play on testing pitches constantly, at instances, your thought course of will get disturbed. That is what has occurred to Rahul and Agarwal. When you evaluate Rahul and Agarwal with (Cheteshwar) Pujara and (Virat) Kohli, it’s the footwork that’s the large distinction.”
Reflecting on the openers’ low-cost dismissals within the second innings in Cape City on Wednesday, the 37-year-old identified the dearth of footwork displayed by the duo. Butt, himself a former opener, elaborated:
“Each KL Rahul and Agarwal have been caught within the crease in opposition to full size balls. They need to have been ahead however their ft will not be transferring. Further bounce is taking part in on their minds. It’s not concerning the method however the thought course of.”
Whereas Rahul was again within the pavilion after scoring 10 on Wednesday, Agarwal managed solely seven earlier than shedding his wicket.
“India want one other Kohli particular” – Salman Butt
The guests fought again nicely after shedding their openers to finish the day on 57 for two, extending their result in 70. Pujara and Kohli battled out a tough interval in the direction of the shut of play on Day 2 in Cape City.
In accordance with Butt, with the pitch persevering with to pose issues, India will want one other particular knock from Kohli to set a difficult goal for the Proteas. The ex-cricketer acknowledged:
“The pitch is extremely difficult for batters and each side are struggling. India want one other Kohli particular. Each him and Pujara are taking part in very nicely. Folks preserve saying that these cricketers, who will not be in type, must be dropped. However they tackled a tough interval in the direction of the tip of play rather well. India must bat until tomorrow (Thursday) night to publish a difficult goal of round 250. They will then put South Africa beneath strain.”
Stumps on Day 2! 🏏South Africa will be happier of the two sides as they have sent both the openers back in the hut.The two experienced batters, Cheteshwar Pujara (9) and Virat Kohli (14) will resume for India tomorrow.#India #SouthAfrica #SAvIND https://t.co/VXAi8iGPau
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At Stumps on Day 2, Kohli was unbeaten on 14 off 39 balls and Pujara on 9 off 31 deliveries.