‘High-quality’ Saleem limits damage despite extreme heat and unhelpful pitch
A Heroic Effort in Oppressive Conditions
In the high-stakes arena of international Test cricket, individual brilliance often shines brightest when the team is under immense pressure. This was precisely the case in New Chandigarh, where Afghanistan fast bowler Mohammad Saleem delivered a masterclass in endurance and precision. Despite playing on a pitch that offered negligible assistance to seamers and battling against the stifling, oppressive heat, Saleem claimed a remarkable 6 for 140 in India’s first innings.
His performance was the standout feature of a challenging outing for the visitors. While the Afghan batters struggled to cope with the Indian bowling attack—finding themselves at 113 for 5 by stumps on day two and trailing by 451 runs—Saleem’s contributions with the ball kept the game from slipping completely out of reach.
Consistent Brilliance Under Fire
Saleem’s ability to maintain a consistent pace around 140kph throughout his long spells was nothing short of extraordinary. His technical proficiency was on full display as he dismantled the Indian batting lineup. Having secured the crucial wickets of Yashasvi Jaiswal and B Sai Sudharsan the previous day, he returned on the second day with renewed focus. He dismissed Shubman Gill, who had reached 126, with a perfectly delivered ball that induced a catch behind the stumps. This was followed by the dismissal of Dhruv Jurel, who was clean bowled after misjudging the line of a delivery that clipped the top of the off stump.
Saleem eventually accounted for Manav Suthar and Mohammed Siraj, rounding off an impressive six-wicket haul before India declared on 564 for 8.
Peer and Coach Recognition
The praise for Saleem was unanimous. Afghanistan head coach Richard Pybus lauded the bowler’s commitment, noting that taking six wickets against a high-quality Indian batting side in such extreme temperatures is a testament to his character. Pybus emphasized that Saleem’s success came down to a simple yet difficult formula: holding a consistent length.
Washington Sundar, the Indian all-rounder, provided a professional assessment of the feat. Sundar remarked that there was very little for the seamers on the New Chandigarh track, highlighting that Saleem’s ability to hit the seam consistently over extended periods required immense skill and physical toughness. Sundar was particularly impressed by the length of the spells Saleem bowled, noting that he often bowled five or six overs at a stretch, a feat that speaks volumes about his fitness and attitude.
The Cost of Missed Opportunities
Despite Saleem’s heroic efforts, the match was marred by a series of missed opportunities for Afghanistan, specifically regarding their use of the Decision Review System (DRS). The visitors appeared hesitant to challenge umpire decisions, which proved costly.
On the second day, two significant appeals against Shubman Gill and Rishabh Pant were turned down by umpire Sharfuddoula. Replays confirmed that both batters would have been dismissed had the reviews been taken. This recurring issue was also evident on the first day, when a failure to review a caught-behind non-decision allowed KL Rahul to survive while on 16; he eventually went on to score a century.
Reflecting on the tactical errors, Richard Pybus admitted that the team was exceptionally rusty. He noted that while he was not looking to blame any single individual, the lack of conviction in the decision-making process was a significant hurdle. Pybus explained that the captain relies on a chain of communication—from the wicketkeeper regarding alignment to the point fielder regarding height—and that the team was clearly off the pace in this regard. Following the day’s play, the team held discussions to address these lapses, acknowledging that such errors at the highest level carry a heavy price. For now, however, Mohammad Saleem remains the undisputed hero of the side, having proven his mettle against the toughest of odds.
