How good were India on the 2010/11 tour of South Africa?

[Varun]

I was re-watching some videos from this tour and this was the last good series 'that' Indian team had in the test format before falling apart in 2011.

We had never won in South Africa, but went in as the #1 team in the world, and South Africa were #2 - yet walked away with a draw.

From memory, we lost the toss in the first test and got stuck up on a wet pitch at Centurion, and consequently got bundled out for cheap. Zaheer being injured meant that we were made to toil with the likes of Ishant and Jaidev Unadkat and South Africa racked up 600+/4 or thereabouts. Fortunately, we batted really well in the 3rd innings - although we couldn't save the innings defeat, a lot of the batsmen got into gear for the rest of the series, including Sachin who clocked up test ton #50.

The second test was played on a green seamer at Durban, the only kind of tracks which gives our bowlers a chance overseas. We grafted our way to 200 or so before being bowled out, and then our bowlers fluked South Africa out for 130-ish. We were in trouble in our third innings at 56/4 but Laxman stood up with a typical rearguard effort and made 96 to provide South Africa a difficult 300 to chase in the final innings. Harbhajan polished them off and the series was drawn.

The third test was played at Cape Town. Zaheer and company bowled relatively well and got SA out for 362. When we batted, Sachin and Gambhir put on a brilliant partnership that chipped away at the total. Steyn and Morkel were lethal, and it was spectacular to watch. After Gambhir fell to their spinner for 93, there was a collapse but Harbhajan stood firm with Sachin (who made 146) and we got up to 364 - 2 runs ahead of their total. We were once again on top in our bowling innings, getting rid of half of their line-up for double digits. Unfortunately, we then ran into the brick wall that is Kallis who, along with the declining Boucher, batted long enough to ensure that they lead by 360 again. We had an entire day to bat out for a draw. A win was highly unlikely, for which we would have needed Sehwag to let rip very early on. However, he was out for 10 and Gambhir, Dravid, Sachin and Laxman batted the day out and we walked away with 1-1.

What are your memories from this series? It flew slightly under the radar because the 2010/11 Ashes was going on at about the same time. Both were fun to watch, but this takes the cake for mine!

Here are the scorecards:

http://www.espncricinfo.com/series/...-1st-Test-india-tour-of-south-africa-2010-11/

http://www.espncricinfo.com/series/...-2nd-Test-india-tour-of-south-africa-2010-11/

http://www.espncricinfo.com/series/...-3rd-test-india-tour-of-south-africa-2010-11/

 

[shaz619]

Good effort to be fair, largely due to Harbajans Javelins

 

[Sidilicious]

That was one of India’s best away performances.

The Sachin vs Steyn contest in the 3rd test was one of the most exciting bat va ball competitions I have seen. The mastery shown with the bat and the ball by those 2 was unmatched. That pitch was also nearly perfect with enough for bowlers and batsmen.

It’s because we played so well in that series that our losses in England and Australia within 12 months, was so difficult to digest.

 

[Varun]

It’s because we played so well in that series that our losses in England and Australia within 12 months, was so difficult to digest.

It wasn't just that series to be fair. We were playing well home and away for many years - arguably since 2002. Everything came crashing down after the 2011 World Cup. It was the end of an era.

 

[Saksham]

I have not seen this series but this makes me extremely happy . Drawing the series in South Africa against Smith, Amla, Kallis, ABD, Boucher, Steyn and Morkel is a fantastic achievement . This makes me believe we can compete and win in SA . Fantastic performances by Tendulkar, Gambhir, Laxman, Harbhajan and Zaheer . I would love to see such kind of performances in the next 2 years .

 

[soso_killer]

India were good, but taking nothing away that was our worst attack since readmission. It didn't help that there was no DRS (I think Steyn had Tendulkar plumb at 0 before he went on to score a 100 in Cape Town). Steyn carried that attack on his shoulders, if you survived him that was it. Morkel has always been erratic to open the bowling, he's fine at first change or rotation. As for Tsotsobe? Lol.

 

[Varun]

India were good, but taking nothing away that was our worst attack since readmission. It didn't help that there was no DRS (I think Steyn had Tendulkar plumb at 0 before he went on to score a 100 in Cape Town). Steyn carried that attack on his shoulders, if you survived him that was it. Morkel has always been erratic to open the bowling, he's fine at first change or rotation. As for Tsotsobe? Lol.

Nothing in online commentary suggests that.

 

[soso_killer]

Nothing in online commentary suggests that.

I watched that series in its entirety, Steyn definitely had Tendulkar plumb, I think it was the first innings when we had India on the ropes at 28/2. Should have been for 3, Steyn was spitting fire. Unfortunately he had no support for sustained pressure. There was nothing after Tendulkar.

 

[Indiafan]

I watched that series in its entirety, Steyn definitely had Tendulkar plumb, I think it was the first innings when we had India on the ropes at 28/2. Should have been for 3, Steyn was spitting fire. Unfortunately he had no support for sustained pressure. There was nothing after Tendulkar.

that was match 1

 

[Romali_rotti]

I watched this entire series, Steyn was a beast almost unstoppable, Morkel was also giving him great support... Dravid let India down big time, he just literally could not put bat on ball vs Steyn and as always it was a Tendulkar vs SA series for the most part...

 

[soso_killer]

that was match 1

That was Cape Town

 

[Varun]

That was Cape Town

Match 1 was Centurion. Match 3 was Cape Town. If you can dig out the commentary from what you remember, that will help clarify this.

 

[soso_killer]

Match 1 was Centurion. Match 3 was Cape Town. If you can dig out the commentary from what you remember, that will help clarify this.

Yeah, the third match was in Cape Town, India were 28/2. Steyn trapped Tendulkar before he went to score 146

 

[Varun]

Yeah, the third match was in Cape Town, India were 28/2. Steyn trapped Tendulkar before he went to score 146

Like I said, there is nothing on commentary to suggest that. Tendulkar got off the mark in a couple of balls without incident.

 

[Ab Fan]

Fantastic series.

Kallis,generally hailed as the supporting role guy, led the side and ensured that they dont lose the series by playing a magnificent knock.

 

[subbu]

even odi series was very competitive SA winning 3-2 India won T20

2003 - 2010/11 India had decent results away from home.... Test series wins in England, New Zealand and WI ..Drawn series in Australia and south Africa

 

[Sidilicious]

even odi series was very competitive SA winning 3-2 India won T20

2003 - 2010/11 India had decent results away from home.... Test series wins in England, New Zealand and WI ..Drawn series in Australia and south Africa

And even when we lost a series, it was always very close - 2-1 in Australia (despite Sydney and all), 2-1 in SA in 06/

 

[Napa]

India were good, but taking nothing away that was our worst attack since readmission. It didn't help that there was no DRS (<b>I think Steyn had Tendulkar plumb at 0 before he went on to score a 100 in Cape Town</b>). Steyn carried that attack on his shoulders, if you survived him that was it. Morkel has always been erratic to open the bowling, he's fine at first change or rotation. As for Tsotsobe? Lol.

You think wrong. Here is the online commentary for the first 2 balls Tendulkar faced. He scored a single off the second ball.

11.3 1 Steyn to Tendulkar, 1 run, Tendulkar's off the mark, short of a good length, turned it wide of mid-on for a single
11.2 1 Steyn to Gambhir, 1 run, turns the face this time and works it behind square for a single
11.1 4 Steyn to Gambhir, FOUR, nice intent from Gambhir, looking to score there and it pays off, short outside off, and he upper cuts it over the slips

END OF OVER:11 | (wicket maiden) | INDIA: 28/2

SR Tendulkar0 (1b)
G Gambhir10 (29b)

LL Tsotsobe1-1-0-0
M Morkel5-2-20-0

10.6 0 Tsotsobe to Tendulkar, no run, banged in short outside off, a touch too wide and Tendulkar lets it go.

 

[Raja Sab]

how was this a good tour, you were losing the final test and the series but rain saved you

 

[Napa]

Yeah, the third match was in Cape Town, India were 28/2. Steyn trapped Tendulkar before he went to score 146

Like I said, there is nothing on commentary to suggest that. Tendulkar got off the mark in a couple of balls without incident.

If fact there wasn't even an appeal for a LBW in the first spell Steyn bowled to SRT. By the time Steyn returned to bowl the 32nd over of the innings, Tendulkar was already at 35. Soso is just making up stuff.

http://www.espncricinfo.com/series/13027/commentary/463148/south-africa-vs-india-3rd-test?innings=2

 

[soso_killer]

Like I said, there is nothing on commentary to suggest that. Tendulkar got off the mark in a couple of balls without incident.

Sorry my bad, it was Paul Harris in the 24th over and Steyn for a caught behind when SRT was on 49, Boucher went up. Twist the events I guess. Either way DRS would've been nice. Taking nothing away from SRT of course, he bullied Morkel, Tsotsobe and Harris. Kallis had a side strain.

 

[soso_killer]

If fact there wasn't even an appeal for a LBW in the first spell Steyn bowled to SRT. By the time Steyn returned to bowl the 32nd over of the innings, Tendulkar was already at 35. Soso is just making up stuff.

http://www.espncricinfo.com/series/13027/commentary/463148/south-africa-vs-india-3rd-test?innings=2

Jy's reg, memory is clumsy.
Either way SRT had a great tour.

 

[giri26]

how was this a good tour, you were losing the final test and the series but rain saved you

Because that is not true. SA were the ones who were close to losing the series. They were 130/6 in the second innings with a lead of only 128. Kallis and Boucher got them out of jail and they got to safety. India safely played out 82 overs with the loss of just 3 wickets. India were not in any danger of losing the series. SA were though at one point of time in the third test.

 

[Napa]

Jy's reg, memory is clumsy.
Either way SRT had a great tour.

No problem. It was a good series. Nice to read about it.

Good luck to your country for the upcoming series, but I hope India wins

 

[Romali_rotti]

No problem. It was a good series. Nice to read about it.

Good luck to your country for the upcoming series, but I hope India wins

Soso tried to get away with a back handed Jab at SRT but had to concede at the end.... Well done

 

[soso_killer]

Soso tried to get away with a back handed Jab at SRT but had to concede at the end.... Well done

Lol, he was still out twice though.

 

[Romali_rotti]

Lol, he was still out twice though.

Errr yeah ? Where can you show me the commentary or video clips which shows he was out twice?

Even if he was; its about time he got away with some of the umpiring decisions after being robbed majority of his career with pathetic umpiring decisions...

 

[Test champion]

Errr yeah ? Where can you show me the commentary or video clips which shows he was out twice?

Even if he was; its about time he got away with some of the umpiring decisions after being robbed majority of his career with pathetic umpiring decisions...

He was out on 49* in 3rd test .he Nick through keeper no one appeal for caught behind

 

[Romali_rotti]

He was out on 49* in 3rd test .he Nick through keeper no one appeal for caught behind

Well no appeal, SA's fault, not umpire or SRT lol......... Where is the second one ?

 

[soso_killer]

Errr yeah ? Where can you show me the commentary or video clips which shows he was out twice?

Even if he was; its about time he got away with some of the umpiring decisions after being robbed majority of his career with pathetic umpiring decisions...

Boucher appealed, Steyn joined in belatedly. Umpire didn't make a decision.

Every batsmen has got a shocker from the empires, that doesn't justify not giving him out when he actually is. It is not unique to Tendulkar.

 

[soso_killer]

<quote>50.2 Steyn to Tendulkar, no run, Shout for a catch by Boucher .. Steyn didn't go up until very late. And it looks like an edge too! Tendulkar leaned across to stab an outswinger that curved away to take the edge. Boucher lunged forward to take the catch clenaly. He went up right away but Steyn didn't and only joined in the appeal late. Which means the bowler didn't hear the noise and the umpire didnt hear or see the deflection. Drama here at New Lands.</quote>

 

[Tridibans_16]

Boucher appealed, Steyn joined in belatedly. Umpire didn't make a decision.

Every batsmen has got a shocker from the empires, that doesn't justify not giving him out when he actually is. It is not unique to Tendulkar.

Are you seriously making that excuse for a drawn series? I mean WTH? No appeal, not even anything on cricinfo commentary to suggest it was PLUMB and here you are, saying thats what drew the match!

 

[pillionrider]

Boucher appealed, Steyn joined in belatedly. Umpire didn't make a decision.

Every batsmen has got a shocker from the empires, that doesn't justify not giving him out when he actually is. It is not unique to Tendulkar.

Only a few crybabies on some forums were complaining about this at the time.

Smith was upset, Sachin shook his head and laughed - which for me, meant he was not out. Smith mouthed - don't shake your head. And then...

I can't recall the rest exactly.

But subsequent replays clearly showed some massive doubt . It's either that the ball didn't carry or that it flicked the stump and hence the sound. One of these for sure.

Regarding the Steyn vs Sachin battle, cricinfo had carried a feature on it and it was hailed on many cricket publications as the greatest battle of the modern era.

 

[soso_killer]

Are you seriously making that excuse for a drawn series? I mean WTH? No appeal, not even anything on cricinfo commentary to suggest it was PLUMB and here you are, saying thats what drew the match!

I never said that was a sole reason, that with a poor bowling attack.
If a nick isn't given out, that's bound to have an impact.

 

[Tridibans_16]

I never said that was a sole reason, that with a poor bowling attack.
If a nick isn't given out, that's bound to have an impact.

The same bowling attack won you series everywhere and almost got you the no.1 rank. How was that a weak attack? And regarding close calls, if Symonds was given out we would have won in Aus 2-1 in 2008, there are so many cases of wrong or 50/50 decisions in cricket. It always evens out over a series.

 

[soso_killer]

Only a few crybabies on some forums were complaining about this at the time.

Smith was upset, Sachin shook his head and laughed - which for me, meant he was not out. Smith mouthed - don't shake your head. And then...

I can't recall the rest exactly.

But subsequent replays clearly showed some massive doubt . It's either that the ball didn't carry or that it flicked the stump and hence the sound. One of these for sure.

Regarding the Steyn vs Sachin battle, cricinfo had carried a feature on it and it was hailed on many cricket publications as the greatest battle of the modern era.

It was out, no doubt about it. Smith was upset as there was no DRS, SA should have got those calls including the Harris decision. It was India who opted out of the review system, hardly SA's fault.

 

[Dead Ball]

I never said that was a sole reason, that with a poor bowling attack.
If a nick isn't given out, that's bound to have an impact.

I dont think you can call a bowling attack consisting of Steyn and Morkel as poor. It was certainly above average. I think the SA batsmen had (always have had) the advantage of minting runs against the limp bowling attack the Indians offer in SA.

If we use such high criteria , we may have to dismiss 90% or more of the tons that Kallis scored as being against poor attacks like India, WI, NZ, Zim, Ban, Eng

It was a very well fought series. The last time the Indian team put up a fight overseas. Had we a bowler like Steyn in our side, we would have won the series.

 

[soso_killer]

The same bowling attack won you series everywhere and almost got you the no.1 rank. How was that a weak attack? And regarding close calls, if Symonds was given out we would have won in Aus 2-1 in 2008, there are so many cases of wrong or 50/50 decisions in cricket. It always evens out over a series.

When did Tsotsobe bowl us to #1?

 

[soso_killer]

I dont think you can call a bowling attack consisting of Steyn and Morkel as poor. It was certainly above average. I think the SA batsmen had (always have had) the advantage of minting runs against the limp bowling attack the Indians offer in SA.

If we use such high criteria , we may have to dismiss 90% or more of the tons that Kallis scored as being against poor attacks like India, WI, NZ, Zim, Ban, Eng

It was a very well fought series. The last time the Indian team put up a fight overseas. Had we a bowler like Steyn in our side, we would have won the series.

Morkel was bowling rubbish, Kallis had a side strain.
All our bowlers were going at 3+ an over (Morkel at 3.6) bar Steyn. It was such a let down watching all the pressure Steyn built being released.

But that's got nothing to do with India, they can only play what is in front of them. I'm more disappointed with our selectors for fielding the weakest attack since readmission, that was the season to introduce Vern. Tsotsobe was a limited overs bowler, never good enough for Tests.

 

[Dead Ball]

Morkel was bowling rubbish, Kallis had a side strain.
All our bowlers were going at 3+ an over (Morkel at 3.6) bar Steyn. It was such a let down watching all the pressure Steyn built being released.

But that's got nothing to do with India, they can only play what is in front of them. I'm more disappointed with our selectors for fielding the weakest attack since readmission, that was the season to introduce Vern. Tsotsobe was a limited overs bowler, never good enough for Tests.

I think SA's weakest attack since re-admission was the Ntini/Pollock/Nel during 2005-06-07 when Pollock was in his last years.

 

[Ab Fan]

Morne Morkel is a world class bowler. The guy has played so many tests being a major part of SA bowling and SA were a top side back then. As usual, unnecessary claims really there.

Who all bowlers were better than Morkel from his era?

Steyn
Anderson
Broad
Harris
Johnson
Philander( came into scenes mostly afterwards)

That's all and with this we are saying he is a rubbish bowler. He did played second fiddle many times but was still world class.

 

[Naim]

You think wrong. Here is the online commentary for the first 2 balls Tendulkar faced. He scored a single off the second ball.

11.3 1 Steyn to Tendulkar, 1 run, Tendulkar's off the mark, short of a good length, turned it wide of mid-on for a single
11.2 1 Steyn to Gambhir, 1 run, turns the face this time and works it behind square for a single
11.1 4 Steyn to Gambhir, FOUR, nice intent from Gambhir, looking to score there and it pays off, short outside off, and he upper cuts it over the slips

END OF OVER:11 | (wicket maiden) | INDIA: 28/2

SR Tendulkar0 (1b)
G Gambhir10 (29b)

LL Tsotsobe1-1-0-0
M Morkel5-2-20-0

10.6 0 Tsotsobe to Tendulkar, no run, banged in short outside off, a touch too wide and Tendulkar lets it go.

Maybe they are talking about this.

25.4
0
Harris to Tendulkar, no run, Loud shout for lbw but Taufel turns it down. It landed on a length on the middle and leg and skidded towards the leg stump. Tendulkar went back after pressing forward initially and tried to work it to square-leg but missed it. The ball hit the pad on the knee roll and hawk eye says it would have clipped the outer half of the leg stump.

 

[Romali_rotti]

Morkel was bowling rubbish, Kallis had a side strain.
.

Morkel was bowling rubbish huh ? He finished the 3 test series with 15 wickets at 24 avg... Steyn was at his ever best... lol This guy , yeah I get it Brian McMillan and Hansie Cronje didnt play, they have had a lot of success vs SRT but that bowling combination of Steyn and Morkel is on par with Pollock & Donald at the least...

 

[Romali_rotti]

Maybe they are talking about this.

25.4
0
Harris to Tendulkar, no run, Loud shout for lbw but Taufel turns it down. It landed on a length on the middle and leg and skidded towards the leg stump. Tendulkar went back after pressing forward initially and tried to work it to square-leg but missed it. The ball hit the pad on the knee roll and hawk eye says it would have clipped the outer half of the leg stump.

Umpires call if DRS was available, initial decision NOT OUT, so it would have been a NOT OUT

 

[pillionrider]

Sorry my bad, it was Paul Harris in the 24th over and Steyn for a caught behind when SRT was on 49, Boucher went up. Twist the events I guess. Either way DRS would've been nice. Taking nothing away from SRT of course, he bullied Morkel, Tsotsobe and Harris. Kallis had a side strain.

Jy's reg, memory is clumsy.
Either way SRT had a great tour.

It was out, no doubt about it.

You slowly managed to reconstruct the events through the course of this thread and yet are so sure that he was out?

Regarding bullying: Tsotsobe who was bowling pretty decently - Sachin just played him beautifully using the pull shot against the length and leftarm angle Tsotsobe was trying against him. Against a lesser batsman, those would have been dot balls or wickets.

Bullying suggests beating up someone who is much weaker. Wrong usage by you here, using hindsight and a self-admittedly poor memory.

As far as Morkel is concerned, he was getting nasty bounce. I remember Sachin getting to his hundred with a top edged six hook shot against one that hurried him.

Steyn was at his peak. Haven't seen him bowl better than in that game. He has been more successful in other games and series. But he was up against inferior players

Please don't use hindsight to make claims.

 

[soso_killer]

Morkel was bowling rubbish huh ? He finished the 3 test series with 15 wickets at 24 avg... Steyn was at his ever best... lol This guy , yeah I get it Brian McMillan and Hansie Cronje didnt play, they have had a lot of success vs SRT but that bowling combination of Steyn and Morkel is on par with Pollock & Donald at the least...

He bowled rubbish in Cape Town yes, it was infuriating to watch. Apart from the first innings of the first Test, he was back to his usual rubbish in the second innings. Three balls in a good area, two deliveries which can be easily left alone followed by over compensation as a results he gets smacked for a boundary. There's a reason he doesn't take 5-fors and has no 10 wicket haul after 70 odd Tests. He has freebies even when he's on song, he's worse when out of form. As a third seamer he's more than okay.

Steyn/Morkel as good as Donald/Pollock? Really? How long have you've been watching SA cricket? Steyn/Vern have a good shout, but Pollok pre injury was a monster.

 

[soso_killer]

You slowly managed to reconstruct the events through the course of this thread and yet are so sure that he was out?

Regarding bullying: Tsotsobe who was bowling pretty decently - Sachin just played him beautifully using the pull shot against the length and leftarm angle Tsotsobe was trying against him. Against a lesser batsman, those would have been dot balls or wickets.

Bullying suggests beating up someone who is much weaker. Wrong usage by you here, using hindsight and a self-admittedly poor memory.

As far as Morkel is concerned, he was getting nasty bounce. I remember Sachin getting to his hundred with a top edged six hook shot against one that hurried him.

Steyn was at his peak. Haven't seen him bowl better than in that game. He has been more successful in other games and series. But he was up against inferior players

Please don't use hindsight to make claims.

Tsotsobe is not good enough, Philander should have played that series.

 

[cr7great]

indirectely sachin was too good for their trundlers morkel and steyn