• Source:JND
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India vs South Africa 2nd Test: Former India batter Suil Gavaskar has slammed the media of South Africa, England, New Zealand, and Australia (SENA countries) for lack of opinions on the pitch that saw 23 wickets fall on the first day of the Test match.

South Africa were bowled out for just 55 runs on the first day of the second Test against India at the Newlands in Cape Town on Wednesday, January 3.

Mohammed Siraj seemed to be on fire for the visitors as he took six wickets for just 15 runs whereas Jasprit Bumrah and Mukesh Kumar took two wickets each.

India too were bowled out for just 155 runs despite being 153/4 as they lost their last six wickets without adding a run to the scoreboard.

At the end of the first day, South Africa had commenced their second innings and reached 62 runs for the loss of three wickets.

Gavaskar didn't complain about the pitch factor but questioned how the SENA media had reacted about turning pitches in India in the past.

Gavaskar said that you're regarded as a good batter if you can play well on rank turners as it helps a player to exhibit all the shots.

"This is what test cricket is all about. You are going to be tested. And I honestly believe I've always believed that if you cannot play on pitches where the ball turns into the batter, you know there is a tendency amongst the SENA country's media, particularly if you think that you know, if you can't play on fast, bouncy pitches, you're not a batter."

"I'm sorry. You are not a batter if you can't play the turning pitch because over here for the bouncy pitch, there are two movements here. There for four spinners, where the ball is turning, you've got to go down the pitch. You've got to use the crease. All the shots can be exhibited."

"So that's you know what? I think, sadly, you know, our media should be actually writing about this. You know, our media should be talking about the fact that you know, but our media is so dependent sometimes not all the time on getting interviews with players, so they do not want to upset anybody. So they will not question the batting ability of some of the overseas guys because of that. But that's the way," said Gavaskar.

India began the second day with a bang as they bowled out the hosts for 176 runs in their second innings despite Aiden Markram's fighting century.

Jasperit Bumrah put up a show with the ball as he ended up taking six wickets for 61 runs.