Legends full of praise

Shastri, Gavaskar applaud India’s performance at Kingsmead

TWO former Indian captains, Ravi Shastri and Sunil Gavaskar, sang the praises of MS Dhoni’s team after the opening day of the second Test at Kingsmead yesterday was curtailed by bad light almost 90 minutes before the close.

The visitors, winning the toss and deciding to bat on what looked an easy paced track, took full advantage of the conditions and posted 181-1 off 61 overs.

They made the South Africans toil hard throughout the shortened day and though they lost Shikar Dhawan (29) early in the innings, it was Murali Vijay and Cheteshwar Pujara who paved the way for a big Indian first innings total.

Pujara, who scored 155 during the epic drawn Test at the Wanderers last week was at it again as he joined Vijay in adding 140 for the unbroken second wicket off 289 ball and in 208 minutes. Vijay, who scored six and 39 at the Wanderers, made the most of it yesterday and was unbeaten on 91 with 17 boundaries while Pujara was on 58 . The only wicket claimed by the South Africans on what started off as a hot and humid day went to Morne Morkel, who made a remarkable recovery from his ankle injury to

Toss: India INDIA FIRST INNINGS Shikhar Dhawan c Petersen b Morkel 29 Murali Vijay not out . . . . . . . . . . . . .91 Cheteshwar Pujara not out . . . . . . .58 Extras: (3b, 1lb, 1w, 1nb) . . . . . . . . . .6 Total (1 wkt, 61 overs): . . . . . . . . . .181 take his place in the side that showed just one change from the last match.

Shastri, who played 80 Tests and 150 ODIs for his country, said afterwards he was fascinated with the way the young Indian batsmen approached the day especially after their skipper had won the toss and decided to bat. Falls: 1-41 (Dhawan, 13.1) Bowling: Dale Steyn 16-6-49-0, Vernon Philander 14-4-39-0 (1nb, 1w), Morne Morkel 12-3-26-1 (1w), Jacques Kallis 7-1-23-0, Robin Peterson Peterson 12-2-43-0

Bad light stopped play at 3.35pm

Shastri said: “Make no mistake the toss was a good one to win. I thought the wicket was just great for the batsmen to bat on and the youngsters proved that they were up for a challenge once again after that terrific performance at the Wanderers. There was discipline throughout the day – a key for India from this young and vibrant team. It’s going to be a team to watch for the future.”

The Mumbai-based television commentator had nothing but praise for both Pujara and Vijay.

“They batted like seasoned cricketers. And if you look at their stats between them they have played just 35 Tests. There’s still more to come – the Indian Top six has hardly played all that many Tests as well compared to the top sides in the world. But there’s real talent there and they could do the job required of them.

The legendary Indian opening batsman, Gavaskar was highly impressed with the way India approached the day.

“What impressed me most is the way they left the ball which frustrated the South African bowlers to no end. The batsmen showed great maturity from the very beginning as they began the innings. Shaker Dhawan was unfortunate – he did all the hard work and then played a loose shot to get out.

“But as for (Cheteshwar) Pujara and Murali (Vijay) they guts it out and when the South African bowlers saw that they were not being enticed with the deliveries outside the off-stump the attack moved to the leg side and these two youngsters easily clipped the deliveries to the boundary.

“I believe the South Africans did bowl well but changed their mode of attack, which the batsman took advantage of.”