India captain Virat Kohli bowled another bouncer while announcing the playing XI for the second Test against South Africa after making three changes to the side that lost the first match by 72 runs.
Wicketkeeper-batsman Parthiv Patel was picked for his first Test outside Asia since 2004 for the injured Wriddhiman Saha, while opener Shikhar Dhawan was dropped for KL Rahul. However, Kohli stumped many when he announced that one of India’s best performers from the Cape Town Test, Bhuvneshwar Kumar, had been dropped for Ishant Sharma’s height and bounce.
While Ishant’s selection was not such a big surprise given the Centurion pitch is supposed to assist bounce, dropping Bhuvneshwar, who ran through South Africa’s top order in Cape Town, was the shocker.
Social media was, of course, baffled with Kohli’s move.
Your first reaction to Bhuvi being dropped for Ishant?
— The Field (@thefield_in) January 13, 2018
Even the experts and pundits were baffled...
@BhuviOfficial left out..you are kidding me??🤔
— Allan Donald (@AllanDonald33) January 13, 2018
Staggered by the exclusion of Bhuvaneswar. Staggered.
— Harsha Bhogle (@bhogleharsha) January 13, 2018
One player gave you a chance in Capetown. And he won't be bowling at South Africa. #BhuvaneswarKumar
— Harsha Bhogle (@bhogleharsha) January 13, 2018
What, no Bhuvi? Mind boggles. Team selection is almost as exciting as the first session.
— Sambit Bal (@sambitbal) January 13, 2018
Before the first Test all selection talk was about current form. On that basis dropping Bhuvneshwar for Ishant is a bit odd. But extra bounce will be handy on this pitch #SAvIND
— Anand Vasu (@anandvasu) January 13, 2018
What's Bhuvneshwar Kumar done wrong?!
— Lawrence Booth (@the_topspin) January 13, 2018
There were others who were quite furious...
"Ishant replaces Bhuvi for some extra bounce" ~ Kohli
— Aditya (@forwardshortleg) January 13, 2018
Bhuvi in Last test : Best bowler for India (Took 6 wickets in the last test, 2 more than next best). Faced 127 deliveries while batting (Most by an Indian), and got out just once.
Kohli claims to pick XI on 'form'. #SAvIND
Bhuneshwar Kumar outside Asia in Tests
— Jasveer Singh Kharra (@imjsk27) January 8, 2018
Batting: 335 runs @ 27.91 in 15 innings (3*50)
Better record than Rohit (445 runs @ 23.42, 2*50)
Bowling: 32 Wkts @ 26.65 , SR 53.7 (3 fifers)
Only indian bowler who averages less than 34#SAvIND
Current form helps Rohit play over Rahane.
— Nikhil 🏏 (@CricCrazyNIKS) January 13, 2018
No such criteria for Bhuvneshwar Kumar.
Kohli and his Test selections are another series, overseas. #SAvIND
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
There were some others who saw the funny side...
Pretty sure Virat Kohli dropped Bhuvneshwar just for the laugh potential of watching Ishant Sharma high fiving Parthiv.
— Sorabh Pant (@hankypanty) January 13, 2018
Ishant Sharma in for Bhuvi.
— Sunil- The Cricketer (@1sInto2s) January 13, 2018
Rohit Sharma again gets the chance over Rahane.
I think Anushka Sharma selecting the playing XI on this tour.#INDvSA
Unsolved mysteries :
— SAGAR (@sagarcasm) January 13, 2018
1. Bermuda Triangle
2. Stonehenge
3. Why is Bhuvaneshwar out of the team? #SAvInd
Bouncy Pitch
— Navin 🇮🇳🏏 (@Mister_Awesomee) January 13, 2018
Ishant Sharma IN
Parthiv Patel keeping
EXTRAs behind the Wicket mode ON #SAvIND
Parthiv Patel is the senior most player in Indian Team today. What a time to be alive!
— Trendulkar (@Trendulkar) January 13, 2018
Three wrong answers from Virat Kohli today -
— Ramesh Srivats (@rameshsrivats) January 13, 2018
1. Rohit or Rahane? Rohit. ✘
2. Ishant or Bhuvi? Ishant. ✘
3. Heads or Tails. Heads. ✘
Virat replaced Dhawan with KL Rahul : Wow now India will score 30-40 runs more this time.
— Smoking Skills (@SmokingSkills_) January 13, 2018
Virat replaced Bhuvi with Ishant : Shit now India will need to score 100-200 runs more this time. #INDvsSA
If Kohli was SA’s skipper, he would’ve dropped Philander for this Test. #Bhuvi #SAvIND
— Gaurav Sethi (@BoredCricket) January 13, 2018
But there were even some who defended the team selection...
Bhuvi’s form comes with ‘conditions apply’. Since the pitch is expected to offer more bounce than lateral movement...therefore, Ishant plays. #SAvsIND
— Aakash Chopra (@cricketaakash) January 13, 2018
What I find commendable is that India are playing five bowlers in this Test too. Defeat at Cape Town hasn't forced defensiveness. That's a sign of strong intent and self-belief
— Cricketwallah (@cricketwallah) January 13, 2018
