Former India batter Sanjay Manjrekar has said that he was surprised by the lack of discipline shown by India in their Boxing Day Test against South Africa at the SuperSport Park in Centurion.
South Africa posted 408 runs in their first innings after bowling the visitors out for 245. They took a 163-run lead on the back of a brilliant hundred by Dean Elgar and important contributions from Marco Jansen and debutant David Bedingham.
Elgar and Jansen added 119 runs for the 6th wicket as the two batters nearly batted India out of the contest.
Elgar scored 185 runs off 287 balls, smashing 28 boundaries in the first innings to put his side in the driver’s seat, in what is his penultimate Test match. Elgar has confirmed that he would be hanging up his boots following the two-match Test series against India.Elgar’s 185 was the second-highest score by a South Africa opener at the SuperSport Park in Centurion. It was also the fifth-best score by a South African batter at the iconic venue.
Speaking at Star Sports, Manjrekar said he was surprised by the lack of discipline showed by India, adding that this is not something that usually happens.
“Surprised by the lack of discipline and adjusting to the conditions. This is something India doesn’t do and it happened in this particular innings. India now have their work cut out and the only way that they can now come back in the game will have to be through a brilliant effort with the bat in the second innings,” said Manjrekar.
India is aiming to conquer their final frontier in Test cricket, having never defeated South Africa in a Test series in South Africa. They have lost seven and drawn one series in the eight Test series they’ve played in South Africa.
