Kagiso Rabada exults after Murali Vijay chops one on to his stumps in the second Test at Centurion. ReutersAfter all the hype, the South Africa series turned out to be a damp squib for Team India.
The age-old frailties of the Indian team in overseas conditions returned to haunt them as the Proteas took an unassailable 2-0 lead in the three-match series.
The Indian think tank – read captain Virat Kohli and coach Ravi Shastri – can't hide away from the fact that their decision to go in with just five specialist batsmen against a potent South African pace attack went a long way in the hosts clinching the series with a game to spare.
South Africa played it tough and were prepared to grind it out when the conditions were not to their liking in the second Test at Centurion.
Led astutely by Faf du Plessis, the Proteas played percentage cricket to come out on top in the battle between the top-two Test nations. The Indians shone in patches, but you don't win Test matches by flashes of brilliance. The Indians let slip key moments on the first day of the series at Cape Town when they allowed South Africa to post a first innings total of 286 after Bhuvneshwar Kumar rocked them early on with his precise swing bowling.
The tourists had a golden chance to draw level at Centurion as the track at the SuperSport Park resembled a sub continental wicket and not the typical green top.
Having restricted the home side to 335, the onus was on the Indian batsman to gain a vital first innings lead.
But despite a masterly 153 by Kohli, India conceded a first innings lead of 28. Two batsmen – Cheteshwar Pujara and Hardik Pandya – running themselves out proved to a big setback for India.
Pujara was run out in the second innings too, while Pandya exited after his attempted ramp shot off a very wide delivery by debutant Lungi Ngidi ended in the gloves of Quinton de Kock on the final day.
Fielding makes a big difference
South Africa were miles ahead of India in the fielding department. The Indians were guilty of dropping numerous vital chances, while the Proteas caught almost everything that came their way.
The much vaunted Indian batting line up failed miserably, barring Kohli's lone big knock and a battling 91 by Hardik Pandya in the first Test. It was deja vu for the Indian fans as Sachin Tendulkar's lone rangers in the 90s flashed to one's mind.
The much vaunted Indian batting line-up failed miserably, barring Virat Kohli's lone big knock and a battling 91 by Hardik Pandya in the first Test. ReutersKohli has to realize soon that playing aggressively and showing intent do not mean being reckless.
Whether it be the team combination or the game plan, the captain has to be flexible.
Building up pressure by drying up runs is also an attacking ploy in Test cricket.
de Villiers proves his class
The Indian bowlers were taken aback once de Villiers took the attack to them in two key phases of the series – on the first day of the opening Test and on the third day of the second Test.
India erred big time by leaving out Ajinkya Rahane from the playing eleven.
It's fine to back your all-rounders, but in alien conditions we need quality batsmen with sound technique to tackle fiery opposition bowlers.
Despite the hue and cry against Rohit Sharma being preferred over Rahane, the former needs to be in the final eleven. Rohit is too good a player to fail for long and with India scheduled to tour England and Australia this year, the Mumbaikar should be in the scheme of things.
India lacked balance in the first two Tests and it proved to be a huge advantage for the South Africans. Hopefully, the Indians would have learnt a lesson and it should stand them in good stead in future tours.
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