IND vs SA: Anil Kumble slams Rishabh Pant-led Team India for not being aggressive in wicketless 1st session on Day 2

Former Indian spinner and commentator Anil Kumble has slammed the stand-in captain, Rishabh Pant, for not being aggressive as a skipper with his field set on the second day of the ongoing Guwahati Test on Sunday, November 23.

Speaking exclusively on Star Sports, Kumble asserted that India should’ve been a bit more attacking. However, he felt that they looked a bit aggressive towards the last over before Tea by bringing in a short leg, a silly point and packing the fielders around. 

"I thought they could have been a little more aggressive at the start, a bit more attacking. We finally saw some of that in the last over before tea, when they brought in a short leg, a silly point, and packed the fielders around. I know the pitch isn’t responding to the spinners the way other surfaces have, but still, you have to make things happen and try different options," Kumble said exclusively on Star Sports.

"Credit to the South African batters, though. Both Muthusamy and Kyle Verreynne have batted exceptionally well. They’ve used their feet nicely, and by that I don’t just mean stepping out; using the depth of the crease as well," he added.

South Africa ended the first day of the second Test on 247/6 in 81.5 overs with Senuran Muthusamy playing on 26* off 46 balls while Kyle Verreynne was on unbeaten one run off four balls. On the second day, India took almost 40 overs to break the seventh wicket partnership as Verreynne was out for 45 runs off 122 balls off Ravindra Jadeja. 

On the other hand, Muthusamy went on to score his maiden Test century, amassing 109 runs off 206 balls, before getting out to Mohammed Siraj. Also, Marco Jansen, who came in to bat at No. 8, went on to score a half-century.

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