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- 'The patience required to play five days is not there in the players any more."
Former India opener Sunil Gavaskar on Saturday said that it is not a poor advertisement for cricket if a Test match finishes inside three days and such results are coming more often in recent years since the players nowadays lack the patience required to survive in the longer format.
The first Test between India and South Africa in Mohali finished in the post-tea session on the third day with the hosts outclassing the visitors by 108 runs on a slow and low wicket at the Punjab Cricket Assocation IS Bindra stadium.
"Getting a result in a Test match is actually a good advertisement. The host association, the TV, the fans would want the match to go to the fifth day. But it not that it is happening in India only. In Australia also the matches finish early," Gavaskar told NDTV.
"The patience required to play five days is not there in the players any more."
The legendary opener said it will be a foolish thing to write off South Africa after just one failure.
"They are a resourceful side. They will try to work on their weaknesses. And you can't write them off. The only thing is that they need to change their batting order. AB de Villers should come at number four and Faf du Plessis at number five."
Talking about man of the match Ravindra Jadeja's super comeback to the Indian team, Gavaskar said it was smart call by the team management to include him in the side.
"It was a sensible decision. He was hitting the deck and not just flighting the ball like Ashwin. He hit the right line and length and was rewarded.
He also pointed out that the Indian batsmen need to work more on their footwork.
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Congratulate Team India on their Mohali win!