Indian tour of South Africa, December-January 2010/11

[SaiSrini]

So far, Laxman and Pujara have batted very sensibly and are showing loads of determination and fight. This is REALLY ENGROSSING TEST MATCH CRICKET! Love it. I agree with the commentators that anything over 250 is going to be challenging for the South Africans. They have to contend with Harbhajan's turn and bounce in the 2nd innings (along with Zaheer).

I think Dravid has to prove that he still has the stock left in him. So far, he hasnt done that. He has looked very shaky and vulnerable in the last few seasons (maybe because of the too high standards he had set for himself earlier). People like Rahane, Mukund, Vijay, Pujara, etc are all sitting in the sidelines waiting for their opportunity. Dravid has to justify the reputation on him or quit. Cant sack him (and wont be a good idea too) but he should not spoil his name and reputation by overstaying. I dont think he has it in him to do a Tendulkar (i.e. make another purple patch at this point of his career)

Edit: That ends a frenetic day's play! Truly action packed. If India were very happy after getting that 74 run lead, now all that happiness has evaporated and we are back to worrying about how much to score and what target would be enough for us to win the game. Worse, we are now also worried if we would lose the match after having been in such a superb position. WHAT A GAME!! I am losing sleep definitely for Day 3 tomorrow.

 

[Adarsh]

I'm a bit annoyed actually. As much as I want a tight test match, I'd rather India win comfortably . They had the chance, had SA on the racks but they've blown it with the batting in the second innings. The bowling hasn't been threatening, they've played some loose shots. Well, both teams have. I don't know if miracles can happen twice and whether India will be able to reign in SA for a low score again.

See 2nd innings, I back Zak to get Smith out (standard). The big wickets are Kallis, De Villiers and Amla. Kallis was extremely unlucky, De Villiers got a once in a blue moon good ball from Sreesanth ...can't expect that to happen again, and Amla went out to a bad shot sweeping across the line. So...in the next innings I don't think they'll throw their wickets so easily. The pitch is actually rather flat, no way should 18 wickets have fallen today. Yesterday the ball was swinging loads in the first session.

India could've batted SA out of this match by making 300, giving SA 350 + to chase in the 4th innings. Instead, I think they'll fold for a lead of 250...which should set up the match nicely. Well, the gloating was enjoyable whilst it lasted, I told you it wouldn't be too long. Bah, humbug.

Call it years of experience, or call it pessimism. I think India have blown it.

 

[relentless_rock]

I think Dravid has to prove that he still has the stock left in him. So far, he hasnt done that. He has looked very shaky and vulnerable in the last few seasons (maybe because of the too high standards he had set for himself earlier). People like Rahane, Mukund, Vijay, Pujara, etc are all sitting in the sidelines waiting for their opportunity. Dravid has to justify the reputation on him or quit. Cant sack him (and wont be a good idea too) but he should not spoil his name and reputation by overstaying. I dont think he has it in him to do a Tendulkar (i.e. make another purple patch at this point of his career)

I am a big Dravid fan. Still hoping there is one last spring in his stride.

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I seriously thought that the time Dravid gave up his captaincy, his records and achievements would sky-rocket. Rather it went the opposite way, lost place in ODI side, poor run of form in Tests. Fastest ever to 9000 runs deserves a far better closure to his cricket life-span. Still vouching that the man will get his stats up mid 50's and maybe even matching Graeme Pollock's 60

 

[sohum]

Well, quite a surprise when I woke up this morning and saw the score. Like Adarsh, I think India have relinquished the advantage. But if they do manage to add another 100-150 runs somehow, we'd be back in the driver's seat.

I hope this shuts up all the haters who said India would be dominated by South Africa. We may still end up going down 3-0, but I think that this bowling performance has sufficiently proved that cricket is still a lot about luck (which means that the top side in the world is still not easy to pick). The difference with the dominant Australian team of the 90's/early 2000's was that they made their own luck.

 

[SaiSrini]

Its not a flat wicket for sure. The ball that took Vijay out in the second innings climbed up very nastily. It was an unplayable ball. Dravid's wicket was due to Dravid's poor shot selection. Dont know why the hell was Dravid trying to be aggressive right from the start. Sachin's wicket was again due to a good ball and aided by the movement off the pitch for Steyn. I would not like to believe that all wickets today fell due to the batsman's ability. The pitch is offering quite a bit of assistance (bounce, pace and movement). You can survive in there, but the moment you start playing shots, you put yourself in big risk of falling eventually.

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Well, quite a surprise when I woke up this morning and saw the score. Like Adarsh, I think India have relinquished the advantage. But if they do manage to add another 100-150 runs somehow, we'd be back in the driver's seat.

I hope this shuts up all the haters who said India would be dominated by South Africa. We may still end up going down 3-0, but I think that this bowling performance has sufficiently proved that cricket is still a lot about luck (which means that the top side in the world is still not easy to pick). The difference with the dominant Australian team of the 90's/early 2000's was that they made their own luck.

Agree with that post! And the haters havent posted ever since we bundled SA out for 131. I guess that says that they have been shut up.

And yes, we have relinquished the advantage but we are not behind SA at this point of time. Our lead is 166 right now. 80-90 more runs should give us a total that could be defended on this wicket (300 or above would be very good). I am pretty sure we wont be seeing Day 5 on this wicket (who knows, even Day 4 could not be used).

 

[StinkyBoHoon]

It will depend how the top order does for SA. if they manage to survive to 50/1 for 60 to 70/2 all of a sudden a stiff target feels very gettable.

I often think on these tough pitches it is how you make that target feel. That's the double edged sword of a tough pitch, if can be difficult to stay in but a 4 is a 4, and so it's easy to string a few together and feel like you are getting there easily.

India need to set over 200 at least, otherwise any mistakes from the seamers are going to eat into the target too much, they need singh to bowl with the Saffers under pressure.

Laxman was desperately unlucky in the 1st innings, there was signs though that he can make that 50 that can swing this game (of course a couple of saffers were unlucky too but they weren't as "in" as Laxman was) Pujara with a real chance to lock his position in.

 

[Adarsh]

In the past , from 166/4 I'd have backed India to get 300. However, in this series the batting has always been a let down when resuming on a new day. I am seriously doubtful if they'll even get to a lead of 250. If SA are chasing 250, then India need to get em for 100/4 or so n then I'd back them to win. The South African middle order is incredibly strong though. If we can nip a quick couple of either of Kallis/Amla/De Villiers, then I think India will go through them very quickly. Their tail is pretty rubbish.

 

[Params7]

Dravid's going through a bad patch, he'll recover. He's made a couple of centuries previously lets not forget that and I'll pop a champagne bottle if someone makes a 50 in this test.

 

[Sobi]

Where are the hatred now? India just proved they are number 1 test side in the world. In the 1st test India had to bad in worst condition and they were bundled out for just 136 runs. Then SA batted on a perfect batting day and got around 590 I think. Now on the 2nd test India batted again in overcast conditions and got bowled out for 208 but now SA was in the same situation as India because the conditions hadn't changed and they had to bat. So they get bundled out for just 131 which is 5 runs less than india's lowest in the series which was 136. This shows that India can bat better than SA in difficult conditions and they can also take quick wickets when they get the same advantage as the SA bowlers get from the pitch. So our bowlers proved themselves already so I don't need to add anything on to it.

 

[Dare]

The Indians still keep gifting their wickets. All of their wickets have been caught, they still haven't figured out these wickets.
Unlucky for Kallis but today that will happen to every batsman because nobody seems to stay in the crease. Great bowling by Khan but what the hell is up with Ishant and Sree and the no balls.
India need at least another 150+ runs in order to have a chance of winning this.
I expect South Africa to chase down anything below 320ish.

I hope this shuts up all the haters who said India would be dominated by South Africa. We may still end up going down 3-0,

So South Africa winning 3-0 wouldn't be dominant?

 

[aus_maestro]

Where are the hatred now? India just proved they are number 1 test side in the world. In the 1st test India had to bad in worst condition and they were bundled out for just 136 runs. Then SA batted on a perfect batting day and got around 590 I think. Now on the 2nd test India batted again in overcast conditions and got bowled out for 208 but now SA was in the same situation as India because the conditions hadn't changed and they had to bat. So they get bundled out for just 131 which is 5 runs less than india's lowest in the series which was 136. This shows that India can bat better than SA in difficult conditions and they can also take quick wickets when they get the same advantage as the SA bowlers get from the pitch. So our bowlers proved themselves already so I don't need to add anything on to it.

LOL

 

[War]

Ha well damn what happened here. I didnt see that one coming. Good to see India fighting since it looked all gloom & doom after they where bowled out in the 1st innings.

Good cricket.

 

[King Cricket]

A lead of 300 will be okay for us considering the fact that the pitch is rewarding the bowlers profusely. Amidst all odds, Pujara and Laxman's partnership is inspiring hopes of an Indian recovery and it won't be easy for South Africa to get those two wickets tomorrow.

We are pretty much paying for our own mistakes though. It could have been all smooth sailing had our batsmen not capitulated so haplessly after a sublime display of bowling skills by the team for probably the first time. I was overjoyed by our bowling but losing such an advantageous position due to poor batting and shot selection yet again is not done.

 

[War]

The Indians still keep gifting their wickets. All of their
So South Africa winning 3-0 wouldn't be dominant?

Ha ye that was a funny quote. It seems apprantley if SA doe end up winning 3-0. The fact that IND in 1 innings bowled out SA for 131 will overide the fact that they would have been whitewashed.

 

[sohum]

So South Africa winning 3-0 wouldn't be dominant?

Nope. Hypothetically, if a team wins 3 matches in a series, each by 1 run, is that a dominant victory?

South Africa dominated us in the first Test match after getting the best of the conditions. However, this game has been fairly even thus far, which shows that these two sides can compete even in South Africa.