South Africa [286 and 130] beat India [209 and 135] by 72 runs in the first Test to take 1-0 series

[Shafi]

Is this the best Indian test team touring South Africa?

 

[shaaik]

Is this the best Indian test team touring South Africa?

Bowling wise may be..

 

[samplepiece]

Is this the best Indian test team touring South Africa?

Best Indian bowling lineup in the Saffer conditions to tour SAfrica.

 

[jagatk]

Why exactly is shami getting no bounce while bumrah is getting so much

 

[Hermoine Green]

Steyn less South Africa can still win this. They just need to score 200+ and India chances will be doomed.

Although this is a very very good chance for India to win this one.

 

[samplepiece]

Why exactly is shami getting no bounce while bumrah is getting so much

Difference in height and trajectory.

 

[Amjid Javed]

S.A need to squeeze another 20-30 runs from some where to have a decent total to defend. India favorites at the moment.

 

[user119]

This is a well rounded bowling attack, suitable for all conditions.

 

[Hermoine Green]

SA need to get 200+.

 

[prakash@raina fan]

I heard pitch will ease out a bit once sun is out. May be from second session, batting will be little easy.

 

[jagatk]

Difference in height and trajectory.

Shami is taller

 

[Hermoine Green]

ABDV is going to do a Pandya here.

 

[samplepiece]

Shami is taller

I mean the release point seems lower.

 

[Hermoine Green]

That was some shot from Maha

 

[AamchiMumbaikar]

SA lead by 186*

 

[imshally81]

200+ will competitive...

 

[jagatk]

SA lead by 186*

They go past 200-210 we lose this one.

 

[shariqnoor]

Kohli and Vijay will be the key. If they stay in for a length of time, even 250 could be chased.

 

[imshally81]

another

 

[shariqnoor]

Maharaj playing exactly like he should. Philander should've done the same thing instead of just prodding and trying to survive.

 

[jagatk]

Again our inability to take out the tail end costing us again.

 

[shariqnoor]

Well the sun's out. Pitch is going to get better for batting for India I guess.

 

[jagatk]

And as I said that bhuvi gets maharaja, but has the damage been done

 

[imshally81]

 

[Hermoine Green]

Modern day Maharaj

 

[jeeteshssaxena]

Gone

 

[Oligochaetes]

8 down,,,, Bhuvi gets a nick

 

[samplepiece]

Saffers dont get bowled out before 3:50 IST.

 

[imshally81]

Time for some fireworks.... from ABD

 

[imshally81]

Styn won't bat today......

 

[Hermoine Green]

Steyn is getting ready to bat.

 

[Oligochaetes]

OMG STeyn is padding up..

I am feeling emotional watching him....

 

[shariqnoor]

so I guess i was right. Steyn is going to bat. Lol at the people who said how is he going to come.

 

[Hermoine Green]

Lead is now 200.

 

[imshally81]

Morkel comes out to bat, but we can see Dale Steyn padding up.

from Cricinfo.....

 

[AamchiMumbaikar]

Steyn is getting ready to bat.

This is epic, these saffers do have a big heart : smithinsydney

 

[Zahid87]

Lead already too big....and tbh this is a blessing in disguise for SA.

They will now have enough time to bowl India out - won't fall into trap of batting too long (when eventually dismissed).

 

[Hermoine Green]

ALl fielders are on the boundaries for ABDV.

 

[samplepiece]

We have to keep it tight against ABD now.

 

[imshally81]

 

[samplepiece]

 

[shariqnoor]

WOW!!!! What a shot

 

[Oligochaetes]

Good chance to bowl and Morkel and get him.

ABDV wont get out today!

 

[Hermoine Green]

Modern day great is going to bat.

 

[samplepiece]

3:50 IST - Saffers are 9 down. India will have another 40 minutes to get the last man before lunch.

 

[Oligochaetes]

Voila!

Morkel goes to a bouncer

 

[jeeteshssaxena]

Gone

 

[shariqnoor]

Would be a shame if we can't get to see ABDV bat for the next over.

 

[Hermoine Green]

Need to block 3 more deliveries Steyn

 

[JattMaula]

What a Legend!!!!!

Take a bow Steyn.

 

[shortbread]

WOW, Test Cricket is exciting again, Cricket was missing this sort of fight for a long time.

Proper proper contest!

 

[imshally81]

Styn survived ....

 

[shariqnoor]

Too difficult for ABDV.

 

[Madplayer]

Lol India is going to win. Look at Kohli.

 

[Madplayer]

208 to win. A paltry total with or without dale steyn.

 

[imshally81]

finally

 

[RamLakhan]

Whether we win or lose, this is incredible effort by our bowlers!

 

[Zahid87]

Well, Kohli, King of the Chase.

What has he got?

 

[Oligochaetes]

Kohli is in his favorite place. He gets to chase.

 

[Hermoine Green]

India will never get such a chance to win a game.

 

[Hermoine Green]

Well, Kohli, King of the Chase.

What has he got?

5(21)

 

[JattMaula]

Whether we win or lose, this is incredible effort by our bowlers!

Agreed. They have adapted to SA plans.

 

[shariqnoor]

Kohli has this covered.

 

[jagatk]

208 to win. A paltry total with or without dale steyn.

Not a good try I give this 4/10 at jinxing.

 

[dauntless]

Pathetic by south Africa.Never thought this.India's game to lose now.Congratulations Indian fans!

 

[Shafi]

Selfish batting by AB!!!

 

[Aman]

Fantastic fightback from India, Pandya MOTM if India win this.

 

[Amjid Javed]

Prediction: India to win by 4 wickets - Wont be an easy run chase though

 

[Shafi]

India will win by 7 wickets one of the opener will score 100

 

[mkyawar]

Told you guys. South Africa has this habit of choking whenever they bat in second innings. Judging by Kohlis mood and no steyn, this is Indias chance to win. If Kohli is confident, the whole team feels confident. Otherwise, its vice versa.

 

[jagatk]

1 thing for sure this game has been better than any of the ashes tests

 

[soso_killer]

Probably 60 odd runs short

 

[MenInG]

1 thing for sure this game has been better than any of the ashes tests

Equally bad teams in this series?

 

[MenInG]

Prediction: India to win by 4 wickets - Wont be an easy run chase though

Kohli to score winning runs

 

[Cryin Out Loud]

208 to win. A paltry total with or without dale steyn.

Not on this pitch.

 

[Bhaijaan]

Is this the best Indian test team touring South Africa?

Far from it.

But certainly not one of South Africa's most competent batting units going by form.

Not easing replacing a giant figure like Kallis in the middle order.

 

[AamchiMumbaikar]

Told you guys. South Africa has this habit of choking whenever they bat in second innings. Judging by Kohlis mood and no steyn, this is Indias chance to win. If Kohli is confident, the whole team feels confident. Otherwise, its vice versa.[/QUOTE]

That is true. I hope we bat better this time, had a disastrous start in the 1st innings with top 3 scoring just 20

 

[samplepiece]

Almost a perfect session this/ 65/8 and used up all the juice that was in the pitch following yesterday's showers. And we get the pitch under the sun for another 40 minutes before we bat.

I am perhaps going against the consensus but I think we are firm favourites here.

 

[style_guru]

Sharma ji can score 200 on his own. It's time to show his tailunt

 

[Bhaijaan]

Equally bad teams in this series?

Ranked #1 and #2 respectively.

Not a lot of history there but in terms of standing in world cricket technically its the bigger series than Ashes right now.

South Africa may still win comfortably but its always good to see low scoring thrillers like these. Ashes hasn't provided anything like that across 3 months literally.