 "Indian bowlers struggled against South Africa A, raising concerns about their form ahead of the Test series. Image: PTI")
As India gear up to face South Africa in a two-match Test series starting November 14 at Eden Gardens, concerns have begun to mount over the form and effectiveness of their bowling attack. The recent series between India A and South Africa A has exposed worrying signs that could affect the main team’s preparation for the high-stakes contest.
India A’s campaign ended on a disappointing note, with the visitors clinching a 5-wicket win in the second unofficial Test at the BCCI’s Centre of Excellence in Bengaluru. Despite Dhruv Jurel’s remarkable twin centuries, India’s bowlers were largely ineffective. After posting a commanding target of 417, the hosts failed to bowl out South Africa A, managing just five wickets as the opposition comfortably chased down the total.
The pace attack, which featured regular Test names like Mohammed Siraj, Prasidh Krishna, and Akash Deep, lacked consistency. Siraj, leading the attack, struggled for rhythm and control, picking only three wickets across both innings. Prasidh Krishna looked sharper and was the most successful bowler with five wickets, but failed to guide India to a win.
Akash Deep, too, showed flashes of promise but couldn’t maintain pressure when it mattered most. Kuldeep Yadav also struggled to find wickets. This underwhelming bowling performance comes on the back of India’s dominating show against the West Indies last month. But South Africa are the current World Test Champion and are unlikely to offer India the kind of easy passage that the West Indies did.
Memories of home defeat against New Zealand still fresh
India will definitely have in mind the forgettable home series against New Zealand late last year. In that series, both the batting and bowling units faltered, as New Zealand outplayed India in their own conditions, handing a rare setback. The bowlers, in particular, struggled to find wickets on flat pitches as the Kiwis won their first-ever Test series in India, and that too by a margin of 3-0.
However, in India’s defence, Jasprit Bumrah was not part of the series, and his presence in the South Africa Tests alongside other key players will significantly boost the Indian bowling attack. India also have the batting depth and home advantage, so it’s not going to be that easy for the Proteas.