NEW DELHI: Ruing India’s failure to chase down a modest 124 in the first Test, vice captain Rishabh Pant admitted that the batters failed to adapt to the tricky Eden Gardens surface. India were bundled out for 93 as South Africa sealed a 30 run win and took a one nil lead in the two match series.

“After a game like this, you can’t dwell into it too much. We should have been able to chase it. The pressure kept on building. We didn’t capitalise enough. There was help from the wicket,” Pant said at the post match presentation, standing in for the injured Shubman Gill.

Pant added that the side will look to respond strongly when the series moves to Guwahati. “A score of 120 can be tricky on these surfaces. But having said that, we should have been able to soak in the pressure and capitalise. We haven’t thought about the improvements but we will come back strong for sure,” he said.

He pointed to the eighth wicket stand of 44 between Temba Bavuma and Corbin Bosch as the moment that swung the game. “Temba and Bosch had a good stand in the morning. That partnership between them hurt us.”

Bavuma praises bowlers for staying in the fight

South Africa captain Temba Bavuma credited his bowlers for keeping the visitors alive in a low scoring contest. “We want to be a part of these games and be on the right side of the result. It was tough for us and we needed the bowlers to bring us back in,” he said.

“We were able to change our bowlers frequently and that worked for us. Our bowlers, as and when they were called, brought us in.”

Bavuma also acknowledged Bosch’s support during their crucial morning stand. “My stand with Bosch was nice. The wicket played better this morning, wasn’t as extreme. It is not all the time that you score 120 and believe you are in the game.”

His unbeaten 55 proved decisive and Bavuma said he felt confident about his game. “Batting, I am just comfortable with myself and technique. I stand as still as I can, watch the ball. I have come here wanting to do well. Not a great record, but I have come here with exuberance and wanting to do well.”

He also rated his catch to dismiss Axar Patel as a key moment. “That was not easy. Crucial moment, Axar had momentum on his side. Fortunately, he was able to make a mistake and I was able to grab it with my small hands.”

Harmer reflects on “dark place” and defining spell

Man of the match Simon Harmer, who claimed eight wickets in the match, said he was pleased to have delivered in pressure conditions. “I felt today the pitch was a bit flatter as the ball got older; it wasn’t exploding as much. I asked myself some hard questions. Nice to contribute. I have been here before and it was a dark place,” the off spinner said.

“So to get here and be in this position, to be behind the eight ball again and to be able to fight back the way we did just shows our belief.”

Harmer added that the win mattered more to him than the numbers. “I’m not a stats man, I’m a win man. I am happy with the win. Still a game to go in the series, so we will enjoy this.”

(With PTI Inputs)