Irfan Pathan said ace India pacer Jasprit Bumrah will be difficult to face on the SuperSport Park pitch in Centurion in the Boxing Day Test against South Africa. Kagiso Rabada destroyed the Indian top-order with his 14th five-wicket haul before KL Rahul steadied the ship with a gritty 70 not out.
Rain in Centurion forced early stumps on Day 1 of the 1st Test with India on 208 for 8 after only 59 overs were bowled.
Irfan Pathan, former India all-rounder backed Jasprit Bumrah to do for India exactly what Kagiso Rabada did for South Africa.
“Bumrah will be very dangerous. I think he might end up picking 5 wickets on this pitch,” Irfan told STAR Sports before the start of play on Day 2.
Shreyas Iyer, who was involved in a crucial fourth wicket partnership with Virat Kohli after India lost three early wickets, said the Centurion pitch offered spongey bounce and added that it won’t be easy to bat here.
“The ball did a lot. There was spongey bounce. I think we have done well to get past 200 on this pitch. Our bowling line-up is very experienced and they can make it challenging because the pitch is doing a lot,” Iyer told STAR Sports.
India are playig this Boxing Day Test without the experienced Mohammed Shami but they will have debutant Prasidh Krishna team up with Bumrah and Mohammed Siraj.
India’s pacers will be eager to impress after Kagiso Rabada, Nandre Burger and Marco Jansen shared the spoils with 8 wickets between them.
