Are South Africa the new minnows in international cricket?

[stevewittry]

These days generally international teams are strong in their own backyard and they invariably win under home conditions. Coming to the on going series between India and South Africa, the later started as overwhelming favourites given their wonderful track record in home conditions.

However the anticlimactic end to the ODI series, wherein they were completely outplayed in all departments by a below par Indian side and their convincing loss in the first T20I just reinforces the point that their cricket has regressed tremendously in the past few years. Though they have been branded as the official chockers in tournaments, their bilateral series record is envious.

To watch them capitulate the way they did makes me believe that they are the new minnows in world cricket. Their victory in the test series had more to do with an even more poor display by the Indians, else they would have lost the test series too.

Thoughts?

 

[dravidthewall]

These days generally international teams are strong in their own backyard and they invariably win under home conditions. Coming to the on going series between India and South Africa, the later started as overwhelming favourites given their wonderful track record in home conditions.

However the anticlimactic end to the ODI series, wherein they were completely outplayed in all departments by a below par Indian side and their convincing loss in the first T20I just reinforces the point that their cricket has regressed tremendously in the past few years. Though they have been branded as the official chockers in tournaments, their bilateral series record is envious.

To watch them capitulate the way they did makes me believe that they are the new minnows in world cricket. Their victory in the test series had more to do with an even more poor display by the Indians, else they would have lost the test series too.

Thoughts?

You dont act like fool.The same southafrica team whitewash pakistan in every format in coming years.South africa is still strong team.This thread reminds me just like a thread runs against srilanka count.

 

[dhonixi]

Pakistanis have hard time to accept that Its not Sa that bad but india played very well after last test. Pakistanis are coming with lots of theories to feel good. Now Sa is minnow just accept that wrist spinners bowled very well, instead of crying again and again.

 

[stevewittry]

You dont act like fool.The same southafrica team whitewash pakistan in every format in coming years.South africa is still strong team.This thread reminds me just like a thread runs against srilanka count.

What has Pakistan to do with this thread ? I am pointing out how deeply South Africa has regressed recently as a cricketing nation to the point of being branded a minnow. I mean no decent side would be ousted the way they have been in this series.

 

[Napa]

You dont act like fool.The same southafrica team whitewash pakistan in every format in coming years.South africa is still strong team.This thread reminds me just like a thread runs against srilanka count.

Pakistanis have hard time to accept that Its not Sa that bad but india played very well after last test. Pakistanis are coming with lots of theories to feel good. Now Sa is minnow just accept that wrist spinners bowled very well, instead of crying again and again.

SA also whitewashed Australia 5-0 in ODIs the last time Australia toured, and beat Australia in the Test series in Australia.

 

[stevewittry]

Pakistanis have hard time to accept that Its not Sa that bad but india played very well after last test. Pakistanis are coming with lots of theories to feel good. Now Sa is minnow just accept that wrist spinners bowled very well, instead of crying again and again.

You won't see them drop sitters or misfield the way they did this series. No strong South African side played this poorly. The fact their top players viz. ABD, Amla, D'Cock and Faf are battling injuries and form didn't help their cause. But in general this has been a minnow level display from the No. 1 side.

 

[The_Odd_One]

They are a team on decline. Amla and AB are not the same batsmen anymore. Faf is very inconsistent. De Kock has too many flaws. Their bowling is better but you won't win many matches without a couple of good batsmen.

 

[dhonixi]

Amla played all 6 odi's, Abd played last 3 matches and did nothing. And we all knew what Quinton de cock did all test series and first 2 odi. Maybe they are on decline but other than them, who else is there for Sa, They just got outplayed in this series. Accept it and move on. Sa is no minnow.

 

[stevewittry]

SA also whitewashed Australia 5-0 in ODIs the last time Australia toured, and beat Australia in the Test series in Australia.

What was the composition of the SA team that white washed Australia? If it's different from the current setup, are those players who are not playing this series recover their fitness/ form so that SA can reclaim their winning position? If not, we can safely assume the emergence of a new minnow side.

 

[MRSN]

Not sure about minnow status but their quota system backed by decline of and end of their legendary players is a strong signal that SA cricket is on a rapid decline.. Not taking any credit away from India but I have never seen such a meek SA team.

 

[BlackShadow]

I am seeing a pattern. When India destroy WI, they were compared to a school team, but then they beat Pakistan in UAE. When India demolished SL, SL were labeled minnows, but then same SL blanked Pakistan in UAE.

Now we have this thread for SA. I think it is just India making other teams look vastly inferior.

 

[MRSN]

Amla played all 6 odi's, Abd played last 3 matches and did nothing. And we all knew what Quinton de cock did all test series and first 2 odi. Maybe they are on decline but other than them, who else is there for Sa, They just got outplayed in this series. Accept it and move on. Sa is no minnow.

How can AB perform when he stays out of cricket for a whole year? Int. cricket is no joke that you can come at any time and start performing. Even if you are a legend it takes determination of Kohli level to be as good as player on the ground as your past record says. AB De Villiers, Amla and Tahir are close to their end.

 

[Buffet]

Some time you simply have to give credit to opposition. It was wrist spinners bowling very well. That destroyed SA in ODI format. Scoreline can be anything, but not able to compete was due to two wrist spinners.

BD came a bit earlier and looked poor against the same side. Aus is coming soon. Is Pakistan touring soon? We will get some idea very soon.

SA does lack few things, but sometime you also have to give credit to opposition rather than simply terming every other side as minnow if they happen to get beaten by a better side. India had a better side with 6-7 players showing up in ODi series.

 

[silent ischemia]

SA is on a decline but take no credit away from the Indian side. I ve been greatly impressed by their bowling on the tour and that has been the biggest difference I ve seen from the previous Indian sides touring SA. They took 60 wickets in the test series which is rare for them outside home and in the ODIs it was the leg spinners who stole the show. Great reward for some tough decisions taken over a period of time. Pakistan must learn from them

 

[Sam99]

Not sure about it currently but after ab, amla, faf, steyn, philander & morkel retires they will look pretty avg team which can even loose at home against good side.

 

[MRSN]

SA is on a decline but take no credit away from the Indian side. I ve been greatly impressed by their bowling on the tour and that has been the biggest difference I ve seen from the previous Indian sides touring SA. They took 60 wickets in the test series which is rare for them outside home and in the ODIs it was the leg spinners who stole the show. Great reward for some tough decisions taken over a period of time. Pakistan must learn from them

Completely agree. India and England are two very strong limited overs sides. Other teams are pretty behind.

 

[deep82]

These days generally international teams are strong in their own backyard and they invariably win under home conditions. Coming to the on going series between India and South Africa, the later started as overwhelming favourites given their wonderful track record in home conditions.

However the anticlimactic end to the ODI series, wherein they were completely outplayed in all departments by a below par Indian side and their convincing loss in the first T20I just reinforces the point that their cricket has regressed tremendously in the past few years. Though they have been branded as the official chockers in tournaments, their bilateral series record is envious.

To watch them capitulate the way they did makes me believe that they are the new minnows in world cricket. Their victory in the test series had more to do with an even more poor display by the Indians, else they would have lost the test series too.

Thoughts?

I would stick my neck out and say that this same South Africa will destroy the Pakistan in next series at home!! just wait n watch...

This thread is not abt SA being minnow....one series cannot make a team great or minnow...its about majority of fans here have a hard time accepting the fact that an Asian team has gone to South Africa and achieve this level of success ( which hasn't happen before even)

and below par Indian side....??? really...no.1 in both test and ODI and you still can't accept the fact that India not only competed away from home but destroyed the SA at their own home...

 

[deep82]

I am seeing a pattern. When India destroy WI, they were compared to a school team, but then they beat Pakistan in UAE. When India demolished SL, SL were labeled minnows, but then same SL blanked Pakistan in UAE.

Now we have this thread for SA. I think it is just India making other teams look vastly inferior.

Agree!!

 

[Bhaag Viru Bhaag]

I would have taken the OP seriously had he created this thread after South Africa won the test series against the number 1 ranked India.

 

[Napa]

What was the composition of the SA team that white washed Australia? If it's different from the current setup, are those players who are not playing this series recover their fitness/ form so that SA can reclaim their winning position? If not, we can safely assume the emergence of a new minnow side.

You cannot assume the "emergence of a new minnow side". This series was about 16 months ago and most of the players were the same:

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Australian_cricket_team_in_South_Africa_in_2016–17

ABD was ruled out due to injury. Steyn did play but got hammered, taking wkts at an average of 50.8 at an economy rate of 7 per over.

http://stats.espncricinfo.com/ci/en...s=2;template=results;type=bowling;view=series

 

[Titan24]

I am seeing a pattern. When India destroy WI, they were compared to a school team, but then they beat Pakistan in UAE. When India demolished SL, SL were labeled minnows, but then same SL blanked Pakistan in UAE.

Now we have this thread for SA. I think it is just India making other teams look vastly inferior.

Dude atleast do some research before writing emotional posts.
Pak won 2-1 against Westinides in tests, 3-0 in ODIs, 3-0 in T20s,

Yes lost test series to Srl, Sarfaraz’s first test series as captain and first series post Misbah and Younu, won ODIs 5-0, T20s 3-0.

Last time Pak toured SA for ODI series became the first Asian side to beat them in ODIs.

 

[Third_Umpire]

I wouldn't read too much into the results of this seemingly never ending limited overs leg of the current series. I just learned today that the series is still not over, and that there was a match today as well.

SA took care of business in the test series. I'm guessing they'll be strong in the next test series they play.

 

[silent ischemia]

Dude atleast do some research before writing emotional posts.
Pak won 2-1 against Westinides in tests, 3-0 in ODIs, 3-0 in T20s,

Yes lost test series to Srl, Sarfaraz’s first test series as captain and first series post Misbah and Younu, won ODIs 5-0, T20s 3-0.

Last time Pak toured SA for ODI series became the first Asian side to beat them in ODIs.

What happened in NZ.

 

[Titan24]

You cannot assume the "emergence of a new minnow side". This series was about 16 months ago and most of the players were the same:

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Australian_cricket_team_in_South_Africa_in_2016–17

ABD was ruled out due to injury. Steyn did play but got hammered, taking wkts at an average of 50.8 at an economy rate of 7 per over.

http://stats.espncricinfo.com/ci/en...s=2;template=results;type=bowling;view=series

You do realize Russow was player of the series and highest run scorer and he wasnt playing. Not only him but there was no QDK, Faf, ABD for only three matches.

A guy playing his 2nd ODI was the captain of this all time great xi which India outperformed. There were three more debutants along with the captain.

As said again in many threads cant take anything away from India but the opposition wasnt full stregth and leadership which is really important in cricket was with guy playing his second ODI.

 

[Third_Umpire]

I am seeing a pattern. When India destroy WI, they were compared to a school team, but then they beat Pakistan in UAE. When India demolished SL, SL were labeled minnows, but then same SL blanked Pakistan in UAE.

Now we have this thread for SA. I think it is just India making other teams look vastly inferior.

By losing the test series 1-2, instead of 0-3, India made SA look inferior? I'm sure SA was surprised to lose even one test, but I wouldn't say it makes them inferior. We should give the tourists some credit and respect.

 

[Titan24]

What happened in NZ.

What happened with India in NZ, lost 4-0 in ODIs.

Atleast Pak won the T20 series.

 

[Bhaag Viru Bhaag]

You do realize Russow was player of the series and highest run scorer and he wasnt playing. Not only him but there was no QDK, Faf, ABD for only three matches.

A guy playing his 2nd ODI was the captain of this all time great xi which India outperformed. There were three more debutants along with the captain.

As said again in many threads cant take anything away from India but the opposition wasnt full stregth and leadership which is really important in cricket was with guy playing his second ODI.

India also rests many key players during home ODI series but still manages to win them. Kohli was given a break, ashwin and jadeja were not picked against Sri Lanka.

 

[Titan24]

India also rests many key players during home ODI series but still manages to win them. Kohli was given a break, ashwin and jadeja were not picked against Sri Lanka.

Kohli is just one guy, thought main guy but SA are without quite a few players.

Ashwin and Jadeja have been dropped since CT 17

 

[deep82]

Atleast Pak won the T20 series.

With your argument, NZ rested and rotated several key players in T20s which you won so it should not count as well....

 

[troodon]

SA team is low on confidence. Injuries to AB and faf did not help. Makram had a mediocre series and Amla is decent LOI player.
The likes of Miller could not tackle spin and failed.

They are not minnows. They just ran into a red hot Dhawan/Kohli/Kuldeep/Chahal

 

[Titan24]

With your argument, NZ rested and rotated several key players in T20s which you won so it should not count as well....

And Pak was without the services of Imad Wasim (was no1 T20 bowler of that time), Hassan Ali didnt play the last match, Junaid Khan was injured and Shinwari who was part of the last two T20 squads and last ODI series was injured.

In the last T20 only Williamson was rested else they were full strength. And in 2nd only Taylor and Southee were rested.

 

[Titan24]

SA team is low on confidence. Injuries to AB and faf did not help. Makram had a mediocre series and Amla is decent LOI player.
The likes of Miller could not tackle spin and failed.

They are not minnows. They just ran into a red hot Dhawan/Kohli/Kuldeep/Chahal

Agreed. But with currently selection policies and close to retirement Amla and ABD, Russouw and Abbot going Kolpak will be cruical for SA and to remain a top side in LOIs they need some good talent coming through.

 

[BlackShadow]

Dude atleast do some research before writing emotional posts.
Pak won 2-1 against Westinides in tests, 3-0 in ODIs, 3-0 in T20s,

Yes lost test series to Srl, Sarfaraz’s first test series as captain and first series post Misbah and Younu, won ODIs 5-0, T20s 3-0.

Last time Pak toured SA for ODI series became the first Asian side to beat them in ODIs.

The essence of my post being losing 3 Test matches (at home) to "minnows" WI and SL, pretty big deal. Let's just accept the fact that India's brilliance is making teams look far worse than they actually are.

 

[Titan24]

And Pak was without the services of Imad Wasim (was no1 T20 bowler of that time), Hassan Ali didnt play the last match, Junaid Khan was injured and Shinwari who was part of the last two T20 squads and last ODI series was injured.

In the last T20 only Williamson was rested else they were full strength. And in 2nd only Taylor and Southee were rested.

Appologies even Williamson was playing the last match, so they were full strength.

 

[deep82]

Injuries are part n parcel of the game. These things are inevitable...If your backup is good, you will find a way to win....

Haters & Whiners will find a way to discredit it. Doesn't matter what they think....

The fact is that is incredibly tough for an Asian team to even compete in Aus/Eng/SA/ NZ let alone dominate in any format....

India has done their bit in South Africa and they have tough tours coming up in Eng and Aus and if they even compete like they did here in South Africa, nobody can take their no. 1 ranking for granted!! ( apart from few fans of a lower mid table team)

 

[BlackShadow]

By losing the test series 1-2, instead of 0-3, India made SA look inferior? I'm sure SA was surprised to lose even one test, but I wouldn't say it makes them inferior. We should give the tourists some credit and respect.

My response was to OP's claim. Clearly, SA beating the #1 Test side is something he doesn't quite rate that high.

 

[Titan24]

The essence of my post being losing 3 Test matches (at home) to "minnows" WI and SL, pretty big deal. Let's just accept the fact that India's brilliance is making teams look far worse than they actually are.

SL tests was first series for Sarfaraz as captain and that too without Misbah and Younus. Unfortunately lost the toss in both matches as well. Team will be much better in the next home series.

No doubt India was good, but to me opposition was pretty weak as well. 4 debutants playing for any team with captain having experience of two matches is a pretty weak position to be in.

 

[Titan24]

Injuries are part n parcel of the game. These things are inevitable...If your backup is good, you will find a way to win....

Haters & Whiners will find a way to discredit it. Doesn't matter what they think....

The fact is that is incredibly tough for an Asian team to even compete in Aus/Eng/SA/ NZ let alone dominate in any format....

India has done their bit in South Africa and they have tough tours coming up in Eng and Aus and if they even compete like they did here in South Africa, nobody can take their no. 1 ranking for granted!! ( apart from few fans of a lower mid table team)

Nobody is taking anything for grabted. Just stating the facts about debutants in this series. It would be a big achievement if India can continue this in NZ, Aus and Eng.

 

[Hasan123]

Losing 1 series doesn't make you a minnow. India spinners also bowled well. Give credit to the opposition for once.

 

[BlackShadow]

SL tests was first series for Sarfaraz as captain and that too without Misbah and Younus. Unfortunately lost the toss in both matches as well. Team will be much better in the next home series.

No doubt India was good, but to me opposition was pretty weak as well. 4 debutants playing for any team with captain having experience of two matches is a pretty weak position to be in.

These things don't matter in the end. Indian fans use similar excuse about how poor selection and lack of practice matches led to the team's downfall in South Africa Tests. My point was that India made WI and SL look like school boys, and Pakistan got whitewashed by one of those teams while losing a Test to the other.

So the lesson should be to not jump the gun before we declare teams "minnows" for losing against the #1 team in the world.

 

[deep82]

SL tests was first series for Sarfaraz as captain and that too without Misbah and Younus. Unfortunately lost the toss in both matches as well. Team will be much better in the next home series.

No doubt India was good, but to me opposition was pretty weak as well. 4 debutants playing for any team with captain having experience of two matches is a pretty weak position to be in.

Too many excuses for both Pakistan and Saffers?? Injuries...Retirements...New Captain....??

If a team has good backup, they will win....as simple as that...

Other than that its like hiding behind excuses of the incompetence of their team....

 

[navin]

This is another "Do runs even count against Sri Lanka" kinda thread!

 

[BreadPakoda]

Yes. By September, England will become one too. 2

 

[English August]

India has started beating SA, so now SA are the minnows. Yes, that makes a lot of sense.

Pakistanis fir ro rahein hain!

 

[htariq25]

every team India plays becomes minnows
except of course Pakistan

 

[Slog]

India has started beating SA, so now SA are the minnows. Yes, that makes a lot of sense.

Pakistanis fir ro rahein hain!

It's phir

Saffers got their behinds handed to them in England aswell who Failed to beat Pakistan at home. Saffers failed to beat England at home even

 

[jnaveen1980]

SA are minnows? lol Yea right. Give some credit to them. They just ran into two seriously inform batsmen. Their inability against wrist spinners made the matter worse.

 

[Slog]

I'll blame the racist quota system

The most talented young white kids are discouraged at such an early age because he knows he needs to be twice as good as a colored kid since in domestics only 4 white kids can play and 7 colored in a team.

Obviously many white kid's won't even pursue a career in the sport as a result

A group of people who grew up in a cricketing cultures are discouraged and peoples who have no interest in thee sport are artificially made to have interest and given incentives to play it

This is a black mark on sport and it's a ridiculous thing that in this modern day and age such blatantly racist policies exist which you would think would have legal consequences

 

[big_gamer007]

Haha I swear it seems everytime I log onto PP the average age of posters keeps getting less.. Instead of sensible discussions and appreciations now we get more troll threads..

Every team goes through a rebuilding phase and SA after 2019 WC will need to rebuild.. Nothing new they will find some good players like they always have and stay a strong side maybe not as dominant as they once used to be but pretty solid side..

 

[Princejain191]

How can AB perform when he stays out of cricket for a whole year? Int. cricket is no joke that you can come at any time and start performing. Even if you are a legend it takes determination of Kohli level to be as good as player on the ground as your past record says. AB De Villiers, Amla and Tahir are close to their end.

AB literally scored a 176 (104) in the second last match SA played before the series and scored 3 top-class half centuries in the test series. Same for Amla - scored 2 of his best half centuries in tests just two weeks ago. Also India has always played Tahir comfortably - averages 52 against us (his worst). India played well. Simple as that.

 

[Princejain191]

SA has always been and still is a world-class team. They will IMO win against Aus and most probably whitewash the current Pakistan team.

 

[backfootpunch]

No India were brilliant and outplayed SA. Even if the proteas had their strongest XI for all six ODIs I still don't think they would have won (maybe given series scoreline more respectable) because of how good the Indian wrist spinners were at baffling their batsman. Kohli was at his best and is at the peak of his powers. Give credit where due, India were excellent - the OP is deluded if he thinks SA are the new minnows.

 

[Sadevdesai]

The Indians are playing at a scary level and SA’s are missing couple of key players .... so the results are naturally obvious !!!! The Bad part is, that 6 months from now only thing they will remember, is a 5-1 wipeout ..... unfortunately !!!!! Also, SA’s saving players for the Australians .... is a total nonsense !!!! You may get wiped out, yes, .... but that is no reason to intentionally take one on the chin !!!! But this is all from the comfort a sofa ... so you spin it however one wants.

 

[shokz1408]

That's jumping to crazy conclusions. One, India top order is probably the best in the world right now. Their bowlers also back it up. So losing to India at home makes you a minnow? That's crazy logic. In ODIs potentially India could perform like this anywhere in the world based on their current form. Also, when SA play us later this year then that series I believe will show that we are barely above the minnows.

 

[Stark]

Now the word minnow is being thrown around like loose change?

Some people been hit hard ...

 

[navin]

Mark my words, This thread will definitely be bumped when Pakistan tour South Africa.

 

[shokz1408]

Mark my words, This thread will definitely be bumped when Pakistan tour South Africa.

Haha that's a definite. That's going to be a disastrous tour, I can feel it. Maybe since the expectations are so low, we might even manage to win a game haha. But up to 2 games max, the series we don't have a chance.

 

[giri26]

I don't think so. India has just played incredibly well in this series. SA just have had a poor series with the bat and have had some issues with injuries to their key players. This does not make SA minnows in world cricket. They just need to sort out their batting once their key players return and also look into the future of Duminy and Miller in the shorter formats.

 

[Chrish]

India is minnow in tests away from home..

 

[shokz1408]

India is minnow in tests away from home..

Losing 2-1 to SA in SA and competing all the way, from what I saw that's not a feat of a minnow.

 

[Chrish]

Losing 2-1 to SA in SA and competing all the way, from what I saw that's not a feat of a minnow.

Competing doesn’t mean darn if you don’t win.

Come and tell me when they actually win or even draw away series for change.

 

[shokz1408]

Competing doesn’t mean darn if you don’t win.

Come and tell me when they actually win or even draw away series for change.

That's black and white thinking, they've beaten SA in SA in a test match, competed and could have won more, and are currently ranked the no 1 side. On what basis are you calling them minnows?

 

[Chrish]

That's black and white thinking, they've beaten SA in SA in a test match, competed and could have won more, and are currently ranked the no 1 side. On what basis are you calling them minnows?

Because they haven’t won/ drawn series in 100 years (you get the point).

 

[Stark]

Yes. By September, England will ..

Shaant breakpakoda dhaari bheem shaant..

India is minnow in tests away from home..

After the way the recent series was played? This completes the formalities related to the sentiment behind the thread's creation.

 

[Chrish]

Moral victories are irrelevant. Actual result is what matters.

 

[shokz1408]

Because they haven’t won/ drawn series in 100 years (you get the point).

Regardless of the past, if they play like they did v SA then they have a pretty good chance of winning and drawing some series. It's not often that asian teams go abroad and win test series, but that doesn't make you a minnow by failing to do so. Out of all the asian teams currently India have the highest chances to win or draw tests outside asia, we don't have misbah or younis anymore and have just lost to SL. I'd say India are doing pretty well to be honest.

 

[Chrish]

Regardless of the past, if they play like they did v SA then they have a pretty good chance of winning and drawing some series. It's not often that asian teams go abroad and win test series, but that doesn't make you a minnow by failing to do so. Out of all the asian teams currently India have the highest chances to win or draw tests outside asia, we don't have misbah or younis anymore and have just lost to SL. I'd say India are doing pretty well to be honest.

No they aren’t doing well at all. As I said they will only earn the respect of non-Indians when they actually win the away series in England, SA, Australia or even New Zealand. Until then it’s all barking and no bite.

 

[shokz1408]

No they aren’t doing well at all. As I said they will only earn the respect of non-Indians when they actually win the away series in England, SA, Australia or even New Zealand. Until then it’s all barking and no bite.

I think we'll agree to disagree. But just know that right now India is the most capable of winning in England, SA, Aus or NZ from the asian teams. Fair enough if you said they aren't amazing, but to call them minnows abroad in tests is harsh as not many asian teams can win test series in non-asian countries.

 

[Nitya85]

Haha this is Hilarious
First Sri lanka Became Minnow and now South Africa
Next on the Card is England...

For Some people it is very hard to digest the fact that India Played well...

 

[Nitya85]

Same Minnow South African team Won 17 matches in a row before FTB India hit them Hard

 

[shokz1408]

Haha this is Hilarious
First Sri lanka Became Minnow and now South Africa
Next on the Card is England...

For Some people it is very hard to digest the fact that India Played well...

Indeed, it's true some people won't admit when India have played well. I have followed most of the series, and I got to call it as it is, in all formats so far India have played very well. More so as they are touring SA.

 

[CanadianG00se]

How can AB perform when he stays out of cricket for a whole year? Int. cricket is no joke that you can come at any time and start performing. Even if you are a legend it takes determination of Kohli level to be as good as player on the ground as your past record says. AB De Villiers, Amla and Tahir are close to their end.

He had absolute no problem performing in test series, heck he played crucial knock in both the test matches that SA won.

 

[Nitya85]

How can AB perform when he stays out of cricket for a whole year? Int. cricket is no joke that you can come at any time and start performing. Even if you are a legend it takes determination of Kohli level to be as good as player on the ground as your past record says. AB De Villiers, Amla and Tahir are close to their end.

But Same ABD was a star performer in Test Series

 

[Nitya85]

With your argument, NZ rested and rotated several key players in T20s which you won so it should not count as well....

Yes Pakistan got thrashed in odi series which mattered the most

 

[Nitya85]

No they aren’t doing well at all. As I said they will only earn the respect of non-Indians when they actually win the away series in England, SA, Australia or even New Zealand. Until then it’s all barking and no bite.

Even If India End up doing all what you have mentioned I am very sure India will never get credit for the same
We can see threads like England/Australia new minnows of world cricket

 

[Titan24]

same minnow south african team won 17 matches in a row before ftb india hit them hard

same?

 

[Titan24]

Yes Pakistan got thrashed in odi series which mattered the most ����

And it didnt matter for India when they lost 4-0, one game was saved by rain. Pak has a young team, you can check avg matches, and when India toured it was their ATG team like every year.

 

[Titan24]

Indeed, it's true some people won't admit when India have played well. I have followed most of the series, and I got to call it as it is, in all formats so far India have played very well. More so as they are touring SA.

Nobody is denying that they played well as the scoreline of the series show.

However, nobody can deny the fact that there were 4 debutants in SA ranks and its the worst ODI XI they have played for more than a decade. People here saying they have disturbed the winning record of SA, this isnt the same team.

Now you can give a counter fact by mentioning the weaker ODI Xi for SA in the last 10 years or so.

 

[Titan24]

Too many excuses for both Pakistan and Saffers?? Injuries...Retirements...New Captain....??

If a team has good backup, they will win....as simple as that...

Other than that its like hiding behind excuses of the incompetence of their team....

Agreed. But last India toured NZ with full strength squad, let alone backup and you know the result

 

[RainMan_]

If India's middle order problems get fixed , it will become extremely difficult for other teams to beat this Indian team.