SA vs IND, 1st Test: Dinesh Karthik blames 'lack of skill' for India's humiliating loss in Centurion
India wicket-keeping batter Dinesh Karthik has blamed the lack of skill for India’s hammering at the hands of South Africa in the Boxing Day Test. South Africa beat India by an innings and 32 runs at the SportSport Park in Centurion.
SA vs IND, 1st Test Day 3 Scorecard
With this win, the Proteas took a 1-0 lead in the two-match Test series, washing away India’s hopes of conquering their final frontier in Test cricket. India has never won a bi-lateral Test series in South Africa, having lost seven and drawn one of their eight Test series since 1992.
Speaking to Cricbuzz, Karthik said he puts India’s loss in Centurion down to a lack of skill, adding that India’s middle-order batting and third and fourth pacers were not up to the mark. India were bowled out for 245 and 131 runs by South Africa in three days.
“I don’t think it’s about not being ready in red ball cricket. But I’ll definitely put it down to lack of skill. There are certain areas, which are gaping holes in the current Indian team. The two big areas for me are the 3rd and 4th medium based and the middle order batting. This is not the Indian team that we’re used to and this is not the standard that they’ve set over a period of time,” said Karthik.
He went on to say that Shardul Thakur and Prasidh Krishna need to up their game, stressing that Prasidh bowled too many boundary balls. Shardul conceded 101 runs in 19 overs, while Prasidh leaked 93 runs in 20 overs, while picking a wicket each in the first Test.
“Shardul and Prasidh definitely need to up their game. I think Rohit was very kind to them when he said that they’re young bowlers. But Shardul was there at the previous series as well. He did pretty well. But this time, it was a very ordinary performance. Prasidh Krishna is young bowler and it shows that he doesn’t have too much first-class experience. He was giving away one too many boundary balls. There wasn’t any control and that’s never a good sign in Test cricket,” Karthik added.
Following their defeat at Centurion, India will gear up to take on South Africa at the Wanderers Stadium in Cape Town on January 3.
