South Africa broke their shackles to defeat the Gigantic India. TEST Series as of now is squared by 1-1, with the final one scheduled on 11th January at Cape Town. There was elation even in closed doors as South Africa proved a point that they are not a finished product. India on the other-side looked humdrum as defeating 240 runs wasn’t a tough task given the affluence India has in pace department. The Test Match got wrapped up on 4th day itself; which ICC would be keeping an eye on it as earlier in 2020 there have been talks of making a “Test Match” a 4-day affair.
South Africa’s chase started on 3rd Day and they were quite cautious in their approach. The openers Dean Elgar & Aiden Markram didn’t allow the quartet: Jasprit Bumrah, Mohammad Shami, Shardul Thakur & Moahammed Siraj to settle; as both the openers rotated the strike on a consistent basis & were ready to pounce on an opportunity. The opening partnership was of 47 runs in 10 overs. Aiden Markram the dashing batter was in full form as he played a cameo of 31 runs in 38 balls.
The man with the “Golden Arm” Shardul Thakur perturbed every batter through his cunning variations. The stand-in/ temporary captain K.L. Rahul used fiery tactics alike the “Youth Sensation” Virat Kohli, who was out of the Test Match due to lower back spasms. At the end of Day 3 Proteas scored almost half of the runs with 8 wickets in tank. In an attempt of experimentation Rahul lost the plot as giving easy singles & a regulation boundary made the job half done.
On Day 4 two sessions were wiped out due to inclement weather. Evening session finally had the last laugh & match resumed. Rahul’s captaincy didn’t yield results as on one side the skipper “Dean Elgar” was solid in defense, he literally took blows on his body & helmet. Elgar’s survival mode was so productive as he made the bowlers bowl to his strengths. Elgar would rue the fact that he missed out on the century (96 runs in 188 balls), yet he would be booming with confidence as Proteas still have their fortress under control. (* India hasn’t won a Test Series since South Africa’s readmission) Elgar got ample support from Rassie van der Dussen who was playing shots irrespective of getting outputs. There was a fear factor present in the form of Rassie. Rassie managed to score 40 runs in 92 balls, his partnership with Elgar proved to be decisive as both were involved in 82 runs partnership.
Elgar & “White Ball Skipper” Temba wrapped up the match & won the Test Match by 7 wickets.
Team members of India were blissfully annoyed as they tried every trick yet Proteas didn’t succumb to the white noise. Last 6 months for Rahul has been a roller-coaster ride as in June he wasn’t a part of playing 11 & now he captained Test team & going to captain ODI Format. India should have gone for the lethal brand of bowling as losing by 7 wickets is a bit tough pill to swallow. There is some sort of uncertainty regarding Virat’s participation & if he isn’t fit then South Africa would be thrilled as Virat on his day can decimate the opponent through bat & captaincy.
India had won the toss & elected to bat first. The veteran batters Cheteshwar Pujara & Ajinkya Rahane once again failed to trouble the scorers as they were dismissed for a single digit. The skipper K.L. Rahul has now made a habit of taking burden on his shoulders as he scored a half century a (133 balls) on a spicy wicket. Ravichandran Ashwin the crafty spinner formed partnership with the “unorthodox” Hanuma Vihari & posted a decent yet challenging total of 202 runs. Ashwin played a quick-fire knock of 46 runs.
Marco Jansen the tyro fast bowler took 4 big scalps & was seen having a banter/sledging with the “Yorker Sensation” Jasprit Bumrah. Duanne Olivier played a critical role by sending Pujara & Rahane in quick succession as his presence was too hot to handle for batters.
The entire bowling department of South Africa hunted in a pack which is must to succeed. India had a short burst with the ball as they were bundled out in 63.1 overs. Shami got rid off Markram quickly & later India’s bowlers tightened up the screws as Proteas managed 35 runs in 18 balls.
On Day 2 South Africa were scoring runs easily & looked as if they would get a size-able lead. Just before half an hour away from Lunch, Rahul gave the ball to Shardul Thakur. Absolutely from nowhere Thakur priced out the skipper Elgar (28 runs in 120 balls) & got rid of the well settled batter Keegan Petersen (62 runs in 118 balls) & eked out 3 wickets in his 5 over spell. He triggered 3 wickets & created panic in South Africa’s camp.
After the lunch break of Day 2 Temba Bavuma took the team out of the muddle by notching up a half century in 60 balls. His dismissal paved the way for India as the score was 177-6 wickets. The tail-enders somehow grabbed a lead of 27 runs. This time Shardul Thakur accomplished the job of wrapping up the batters & tail-enders as he took his career best of 7-61 in 17.5 overs. Thakur proved to be a Trump & Wild Card as his spell changed the dynamics of the Game.
In response to 27 runs lead South Africa got rid of the “Big Fishes” Mayank Agarawal & K.L. Rahul. Marco Jansen who had a small stint via Mumbai Indians in IPL 2021 (MI) made the most of his experience. Rahane & Pujara resurrected the innings by rotating the strike & a typical boundary. At the end of Day 2 India’s lead was 58 runs with 8 wickets remaining. The Coach Mark Boucher was worried as he knew the momentum shifted very quickly.
On Day 3 Rahane & Pujara fretted bowlers. It was entertaining to see how Pujara was in attacking mode. During Drinks break India ‘s lead was 124 runs. It looked as if South Africa gifted the match, then Kagiso Rabada the speedster eliminated Pujara & Rahane by bowling peach deliveries. Within a blink of eye Rabada changed the course of the match.
Rishabh Pant came in & then Rabada enticed Rishabh. Within 3 deliveries Pant threw his wicket & made sure that Proteas are in full control. Lead at that time was 140 runs with 5 wickets left.
Hanuma Vihari stood tall from one end & made sure that India posted a competitive target of 240 runs. South Africa’s quartet was slaying like anything as there was no respite. Lungi Ngidi, Marco Jansen & Kagiso Rabada all of these 3 took three wickets each.
With the series being squared by 1-1. The contest at Cape-town would be grueling as South Africa have made a comeback from nowhere. Mark Boucher the Head Coach would be pumped up whereas Rahul Dravid the Head Coach knows that the loop-holes have been exposed.
In 2006-07 South Africa vs India Test Series, Rahul Dravid was the captain of India & Mark Boucher was the wicket-keeper of South Africa. South Africa had levelled the Series by winning in Durban & co-incidentally the 3rd Test Match is going to be played at Cape-town only. Given the history India would be hoping that the fortunes would change as in 2006-07 South Africa had thrashed India convincingly.
India wants the Batter Virat Kohli, as he is under a lot of pressure regarding off-field issues. Unfortunately, if Virat isn’t fit then there should be absolute role clarity as players need to acclimatize themselves to the situation. The blunder of Rishabh Pant is an example, if he would have batted responsibly then the result might have been different, putting entire blame on him is not right, but it is often said “Wicket-keeper is the heart of the team”. India has got everything to excel, unfortunately on the given day match is played on field not on paper.
South Africa would be in shock as in this Test Match they were without Quinton de Kock as he quitted Test Cricket to focus on White ball. Quinton was a huge blow as his acrobatic glove-work & furious batting was a major skill. Even in his absence South Africa gave a Reality Check to India.
On the current performances India looks unlikely to win as South Africa look ominous.
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