Indian skipper Virat Kohli, along with head coach Ravi Shastri, came under heavy criticism for dropping Ajinkya Rahane in the opening Test match of the three-match series.
Now, after their loss in the first Test by 72 runs, cricket lovers were expecting some changes in the team, and the changes happened. Three changes happened in India’s playing eleven from the first Test. KL Rahul replaced Shikhar Dhawan as opener, Parthiv Patel was included in place of Wriddhiman Saha and Ishant Sharma replaced the star Indian pacer Bhuvneshwar Kumar. However, the last change didn’t go well with the people if one goes by the reactions on Twitter.
The changes Virat Kohli made in the Indian team was more or less expected but benching Kumar who had rattled South Africa’s batting line up in the first inning 4/87 in Newlands was a bit surprising.
Indian cricket fans are not happy with Bhuvneshwar Kumar’s exclusion and took it to micro-blogging site Twitter to express their anger.
Here are some tweets that took a dig at the decision to drop Bhuvneshwar:
Always pleased if Ishant does well, but completely bemused Bhuvi dropped. If conditions are so crucial, presumably Kohli will drop himself for the England tour.
— Pavilion Opinions (@pavilionopinion) January 13, 2018
If Kohli was SA’s skipper, he would’ve dropped Philander for this Test. #Bhuvi #SAvIND
— Gaurav Sethi (@BoredCricket) January 13, 2018
Unconfirmed reports that Bhuvi failed to lift 470 kg in gym last night. Captain Fitness & team management couldn’t take the risk in case of a rhino attack on the field. Sensible.
— Aayush (@slicesofIife) January 13, 2018
Virat replaced Dhawan with KL Rahul : Wow now India will score 30-40 runs more this time.
Virat replaced Bhuvi with Ishant : Shit now India will need to score 100-200 runs more this time. #INDvsSA
— Justice Smoking Skills (@SmokingSkills_) January 13, 2018
@ BCCI Just release bhuvi and rahane they’ll better play domestic than sitting on the bench without a proper reason
— Tamanna🎐 (@justacrazyass) January 13, 2018
Bhuvi not in the team?!!!😳 My office is open for explanations.
— Gaurav Kapur (@gauravkapur) January 13, 2018
Bhuvi bowled well, batted well, had to be dropped.
They bring in Ngidi we drop Bhuvi.
No Rahane in Centurion also.
Masterclass in team selection.
RT if u are unhappy with team selection.#SAvIND— Sayan Gope (@FunnyGopu) January 13, 2018
Ishant Sharma in for Bhuvi.
Rohit Sharma again gets the chance over Rahane.I think Anushka Sharma selecting the playing XI on this tour.#INDvSA
— Sunil- The Cricketer (@1sInto2s) January 13, 2018
Why is Smith called brain-fade when kohli proves he is a brainfaden with his selections. We were in the game due to bhuvi. Ask duplessis will he drop philander. He is slow too.. #SAvIND
— DEV (@Cover_driver) January 13, 2018
South Africa leads the three-match Test series 1-0.
India (Playing XI): Murali Vijay, Lokesh Rahul, Cheteshwar Pujara, Virat Kohli(c), Rohit Sharma, Parthiv Patel(w), Hardik Pandya, Ravichandran Ashwin, Mohammed Shami, Jasprit Bumrah, Ishant Sharma
South Africa (Playing XI): Dean Elgar, Aiden Markram, Hashim Amla, AB de Villiers, Faf du Plessis(c), Quinton de Kock(w), Vernon Philander, Keshav Maharaj, Kagiso Rabada, Lungisani Ngidi, Morne Morkel