Chinks in India's bowling attack

AS Friday dawned in Centurion, with the dust on India's batting collapse which led to an innings loss to South Africa still settling down, landed a press release from the BCCI.

- GOMESH S

It read, "The Men's Selection Committee has named Mr Avesh Khan as a replacement for Mr Mohd. Shami for the second Test against South Africa to be played from 3rd-7th January 2024 in Cape Town." From the outset, it seemed like a good decision. That the pacer is coming fresh from a five-wicket haul against South Africa A in a four-day match apart, the inclusion of Avesh underlines the bigger concern beneath the inexperience and the fragility of India's batting display on Thursday. The problem they do not have an immediate answer to-India's pace attack is not what it was from two years ago, and what more, they do not have the bench strength for anyone to come in and do the job. And it reflected in Centurion as well.