IND vs SA | Indian pacers extremely disciplined and professional, asserts Zubayr Hamza
In the press conference, Zubayr Hamza was at his honest best while admitting that Indian pacers have maintained their professionalism all throughout the tournament. Hamza has also added that India bowled attacking lines, which didn't allow them to leave the ball many times as they would have liked.
In one of the most productive days in the Test series, India managed to pick as many as 16 South African wickets with half of them going to Umesh Yadav and Mohammed Shami. With the ball coming slow off the surface and a little movement available in the air, the duo bowled more short balls and mixed it up with the length balls on the stumps. Hamza was quick to concede that the duo were right on the money from the very first over today.
"I would say, based on just the general thought of playing in India, you'd assume that it would be tougher to play against the spinners. In saying that, we knew, obviously first we'd have to get through the quick bowlers that they've got, who are extremely disciplined and professional about the way they go about doing their job, so I wouldn't say we underprepared against the seamers. I would just say that maybe we should have prepared more mentally in terms of playing them in whatever conditions that we were faced with," Hamza said in the press conference, reported ESPN Cricinfo.
"I would say that with the new ball they just forced us to play at more balls. They bowled attacking lines, they didn't allow us to leave the ball many times, and by asking us to play at the majority of balls, given the fact that they've got good skill as well, obviously we're going to have to be on top of our game in defence to keep those good balls out, and we haven't done that."
After resuming the innings from 9/2 in the first innings, South Africa were bundled out for 162, conceding a first-innings lead of 335 runs. It was also the first instance of South Africa following-on in consecutive Tests since the 2001-02 tour of Australia. Hamza also conceded that it was a pretty poor effort from their side for the kind of performance.
"To have almost been bowled out twice in just less than two days, it's pretty poor from our side. It's been tough. I think we struggled to build partnerships. So from our side with the bat I think we struggled in terms of our defences, and they bowled pretty attacking lines and I think that's been the key for them. I just think we haven't been good enough to keep those good balls off," the youngster said, giving an assessment of the South African batting," he added.
"First half century for the national side so pretty happy with that but also disappointed in the same breath, not having gone on to make use of that opportunity. And the first time that I've been out twice in the same day, so it's been a tough day. Really disappointing for the side. To have almost been bowled out twice in just less than two days, it's pretty poor from our side. I think we struggled to build partnerships."