Guwahati, Nov 23: Dale Steyn offered a blunt assessment of India’s approach on the second day of the Guwahati Test, suggesting the hosts paid the price for clinging too long to a single plan. India, who had South Africa wobbling at 247 for 6 at stumps on the opening day, were made to work through a punishing shift as Senuran Muthusamy and Marco Jansen powered the visitors to a formidable 489.
Speaking on JioStar’s Cricket Live, the former South African fast bowler felt India failed to adjust to a surface that offered little help.
Steyn said the attack became predictable, relying on straight lines and conservative field settings that allowed South Africa’s lower order to settle comfortably.
“They bowled well in patches, but they didn’t shift gears when the game demanded it,” Steyn observed.
“They stuck with the same plan for too long. Early in an innings, you don’t want long-on, long-off and deep square sitting back and giving easy singles. That let the batters get their eye in before India tried anything different.”
He noted that the straight-at-the-stumps tactic that worked in Kolkata was less effective on a far flatter track in Guwahati. (Agencies)
