Centurion, Jan 13 (PTI) Former greats Allan Donald andVVS Laxman today slammed India's team selection for the secondTest against South Africa, saying the move to play IshantSharma at the expense of Bhuvneshwar Kumar was baffling.
Coming into the game after a 72-run defeat in the firstTest, India made three changes to their playing XI, with KLRahul replacing Shikhar Dhawan and Ishant coming in forBhuvneshwar, whose three-wicket burst in the first morning atCape Town rocked the hosts.
Wicketkeeper Wriddhiman Saha was ruled out due to astrain and Parthiv Patel was included is his place.
"Don't understand how you can leave a bowler out thatdon't have more bounce than a taller bowler @ImIshant.
@BhuviOfficial has so much skill and accuracy that he brings.
It's like leaving out @VDP_24!" pace legend Donald wrote onhis twitter handle, while also making a reference to SouthAfrica pacer Vernon Philander.
Philander ran through the Indian batting in the secondinnings of the first Test, claiming a career-best six-wickethaul at Cape Town.
Donald also tweeted, "@BhuviOfficial left out..you arekidding me????"Former India batsman Laxman was also surprised.
"I am surprised not to find Bhuvi in the playing XItoday. In the first Test, he took the most number of wickets(6 wickets) showing skill in using the new ball & batted quitewell showing patience nd resilience. Am I missing somethinghere ??"Former India batsman Vinod Kambli and left-arm pacerRudra Pratap Singh also made their displeasure public.
"Virat and the Team Management are surprising their ownplayers and confusing us.Heeee ha????????"While RP wrote, "Perception isn't the truth but it'sbigger than truth these days" And may be that's why Bhuviisn't a part of playing 11."Bhuvneshwar was the pick of the India bowlers in CapeTown, taking six wickets while batting resolutely.
Virat Kohli's team had folded for 135 in their secondinnings while chasing 208 to win the opening Test. PTI AH ATKATK.
This is unedited, unformatted feed from the Press Trust of India wire.