"We gave them too many singles" - IPL winner blames Rishabh Pant's tactics for loss in IND vs SA 2025 1st Test

Indian Premier League (IPL) 2008 winner Mohammad Kaif criticised Rishabh Pant's tactics after India's defeat to South Africa in the first Test. The Proteas beat the hosts by 30 runs at the Eden Gardens in Kolkata to take a 1-0 lead in the two-match series.

Shubman Gill walked off retired hurt in the first innings and did not take the field in the remainder of the Test. Therefore, Rishabh Pant took charge as captain. South Africa were reduced to 91/7 in the second innings. While India had the opportunity to seize the game, they allowed the visitors to crawl their way back as the Proteas went on to post a total of 153.

India were eventually set a 124-run target and lost by 30 runs. Mohammad Kaif reckoned that the hosts allowed the South African batters to pick easy singles with an open field. He blamed Pant's captaincy for not setting tighter fields.

"We gave them too many singles. Is it easy to score against four spinners on a turning track? Keep a mid-on, bring the point up, and ask the batters to take the challenge. The fielders were behind and 70-80% of their runs came in singles. Pant kept an in and out field with Gill not there and that also had an effect. He also took some time to understand things," he said on his YouTube channel.

Mohammad Kaif also added that India missed both Shubman Gill the batter and the captain. Gill made four runs off three balls in the first innings before retiring hurt. India felt his absence in the second innings as they struggled to chase 124 and eventually lost the Test.

"There would have been a difference if Gill was there. He could not play both innings. If we got a better lead, say 50, 60 or 100 runs, we would put South Africa out of the game there itself. It was a miss. Not having him on the field as captain was also a miss. In the second innings he was not there in the chase. So there is definitely a direct connection as Gill is one of our best batters at the moment. He is in form as well such a player can save you in such situations," he reflected.

The hosts will have to bounce back in the second Test to avoid another home series defeat. Guwahati will host the game beginning on November 22.

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Kaif praises South African skipper after their stunning win over India in the first Test

World Test Championship (WTC) winning captain Temba Bavuma continued his impressive run as South Africa's skipper in the format. Post their stunning win, Mohammad Kaif praised him for his captaincy and smart decisions on the field.

For example, when Washington Sundar was well set on 31 at the crease during the chase, Bavuma made an effective bowling change by bringing in Aiden Markram, who dismissed Sundar at a crucial stage.

"South Africa's strength has been their fielding and captaincy, history is witness to this. When Markram got Sundar out, praise Bavuma as a captain that he stopped Maharaj and got Markram in there. Sundar was a set batter at that point. Whenever they got any chances, there were fielders there too. You talk about the fielding and the bowling changes. They even won without Rabada," he said.

Bavuma and his troops will carry the momentum into the Guwahati Test. They will be eager to build on the same and script a historic series win.

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Edited by Rishab Vm