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New Delhi: Anil Kumble believes questionable captaincy calls contributed to India's loss to South Africa in the first Test on Kolkata.
India were bowled out for 93 runs in chase of a target of 124 on the third day afternoon at Eden Gardens.
The hosts now trail 1-0 in the two-match series, with the second game scheduled to be held in Guwahati from November 22.
"A target of 123 was a bit too much. When the day started, South Africa were 63 for 7 and that was the lead. Temba Bavuma was still there. But having spread-out fields and not giving the first over to your best bowler, Jasprit Bumrah, was questionable. All three wickets that fell were to the fast bowlers," Kumble said on JioHotstar.
In contrast, the former India skipper pointed out that Temba Bavuma's leadership was astute as was his batting, scoring the only half century of the game in the second innings.
"Overall, India were certainly outdone by South Africa. Credit to Temba Bavuma — he doesn't get the recognition he deserves as a captain. He has won 10 out of 11 Test matches as skipper for South Africa and has won a Test Championship for them. He doesn't get the kind of credit other international captains receive," the former leg-spinner said.
"As a batter, too, he has produced two quality innings, one in the WTC final and one here, literally back-to-back since he wasn't available for Pakistan. He has done exceptionally well both as a player and a skipper."
Kumble said that Bavuma took a calculated gamble while defending their small score and it paid rich dividends.
"I thought he did really well in bringing on Aiden Markram when there were two left-handers at the crease. Washington Sundar had a good look at Simon Harmer and seemed comfortable. And maybe that one over from Keshav Maharaj, I felt that was where he got the wrong bowler on, because Axar was certainly taking him on," the cricketer-turned commentator said.
"But he took a gamble that ultimately paid off. It cost South Africa 16 runs, but it paid off. Overall, I thought his usage of bowlers was excellent. He never used Wiaan Mulder at all in the innings. He ensured that the tall Marco Jansen, Corbin Bosch, and the two spinners along with the smart use of Markram were enough."
