India choice puzzles Steyn

Decision to bat hard to understand, admits Proteas bowler

Last updated: 4th April 2008

Dale Steyn five for in second Test

Steyn: Puzzled

Related links

Teams

Players

Also see

Dale Steyn said he could not understand why India opted to bat first in the second Test in Ahmedabad, after helping to bowl them out for just 76.

The South Africa paceman took 5-23 as India were dismissed in just 20 overs - the shortest ever Test innings on the subcontinent.

The Proteas then reached 223-4 in reply to build a commanding lead by the end of an incredible first day at the Sardar Patel Stadium.

"I was surprised," Steyn said. "I haven't played too much in the subcontinent, especially in India, (but) I've never seen a pitch like this, with so much grass. Maybe it played more into our hands.

Argument

"From what I read in the papers there was a bit of an argument between the curator and the captain of the Indians. They probably didn't get what they wanted.

"If they didn't get what they wanted then you have to ask the question: 'why did they bat first?' If you always thought it was going to be green then maybe you made the wrong decision."

The India innings was in sharp contrast to the first test in Chennai, which was drawn after a five-day glut for the batsmen which saw 1,498 runs.

"The wicket helped us here a lot more than it did in Chennai. There was a little bit of movement which we didn't have there and that assists you in one way.

"It probably scared the Indians a bit once one or two wickets fell and the ball seemed to be moving around.

"It just looked like it sent a couple of shivers down the Indian batting line-up. It looked like the guy that came in next didn't really know how to approach it and how to play the game."