South Africa [335 & 258] beat India [307 & 151] by 135 runs to win series & take 2-0 series lead

[Varun]

By the way Saha has been ruled out of the next test too and I hear Dinesh Karthik has been named his replacement. I would rather have him over tailunt Sharma to be honest, or for one of the openers.

Speaks volumes that 15 years later we're still pondering around with Parthiv Patel and Dinesh Karthik. Are there no other test quality keepers in India?

 

[Oligochaetes]

I love watching South African field. They are fighting for each run. Awesome!

 

[DHONI_FAN]

Our only hope is if Pandya gets a quick fire century

 

[Varun]

At least the scoreboard is moving, for what it's worth. Unlike last night.

 

[style_guru]

Last evening when India were 3 down & bowlers were spitting fire, Kohli & Cheerleader Shastri sent in Parthiv Patel, who himself is not a regular in the team, & is low on confidence, simply to shield Rohit Sharma, who is Bradman reincarnated according to the captain & coach. If this is not mind boggling, I don't know what is

 

[LastManstanding]

Is Maharaj bowling really well or Rohit just showing his defensive skills?

 

[DHONI_FAN]

Is Maharaj bowling really well or Rohit just showing his defensive skills?

Rohit showing us how to defend with pads

 

[DuckMaster]

Shami is getting dropped too for next match.

No, he won't. But then Kohli's definition of "common sense" is definitely quite different from the nobodies out there.

 

[LastManstanding]

Chalo ji, we arent scoring even 100 here.

 

[Oligochaetes]

Pandya put all his effort into giving catch practise to slips....lol

:

 

[Varun]

This is what happens when you introduce T20 hacks to the team.

 

[Sam99]

Pandya's 90 runs inning is big reason for us to loose this series. Balance we needed is not there because of pandya.

 

[Ab Fan]

Rohit to cement his place for next test. Or we may see fans coming up and sayimg that he was 2nd leading run scorer in this series. So before leaving him out there are other players who deserve to be excluded from XI.

 

[DHONI_FAN]

This is what happens when you introduce T20 hacks to the team.

But he is Indian version of Kallis

 

[Madplayer]

[MENTION=113824]Nikhil_cric[/MENTION] remember our little chat yesterday about Rohit being the top scorer? You said :

Ill bet my house on the fact that he won't be.

)

 

[style_guru]

But he is Indian version of Kallis

Don't undermine Kohli's youth brigade. Pandya is > Botham+Imran+Hadlee combo.

 

[Nikhil_cric]

[MENTION=113824]Nikhil_cric[/MENTION] remember our little chat yesterday about Rohit being the top scorer? You said :



)

I didn't expect Rohit to even survive this . Now he'll haunt us for another year based on being treated highest scorer on a difficult pitch. Damn!

 

[Proactive_]

Fielding coach needs to be sacked

Along with the batting and bowling coach.

First and foremost the head coach needs to be sacked who is only there to carry Kohli's bags and do jee huzuri.

 

[DHONI_FAN]

Don't undermine Kohli's youth brigade. Pandya is > Botham+Imran+Hadlee combo.

You missed Jonty Rhodes there

 

[Madplayer]

Someone please slap this Pandya.. Enough of this joker

I said it in the Pandya vs Faheem thread but his fans attacked me like crazy. I will repeat it. He is a good player but his defensive technique especially in these conditions is average. Defensive technique, not aggressive when he is looking to blast sixes. When he has to grind it out, he will mostly struggle. When he has nothing to lose, no genuine batting partner at the other end, he would throw his bat around and score quick runs because of his great hitting technique.

 

[DHONI_FAN]

This is humiliation

 

[Oligochaetes]

Excercise for Indian fans

How many wickets in the fourth innings were gifted to South Africa?

 

[Varun]

Heck, only 200 runs more.

 

[Madplayer]

Ashwin out. 87-7

 

[Sam99]

Heck, only 200 runs more.

Gone now its over for sure before lunch. Shami, Bumrah & Ishant to come.

 

[Varun]

Excercise for Indian fans

How many wickets in the fourth innings were gifted to South Africa?

Rahul, Pujara, Pandya and to an extent Parthiv.

 

[Oligochaetes]

Excercise for Indian fans

How many bowlers did great against India in their debut series?

 

[style_guru]

This tour basically once again proved that it's not necessary that your best batsman would be your best captain as well. Also the fact that cricket boards should not bow down to great players, only because of fearing these players will start throwing their toys out of the pram.

I am happy this happened, after what Kohli-Shastri did to Kumble. Feel sorry for the fans though

 

[Oligochaetes]

Rohit has just touched 200.... errrr 20 in this innings :-D

 

[sensible-indian-fan]

That's why I say I don't trust Ashwin's batting these days.

This could have just as easily happened 1st innings too.

Any runs he scores is bonus.

He is someone who has genuine ability to play on all pitches but is too indisciplined.

Hence untrustworthy.

 

[Sarwar89]

Well no Indian team has ever been white washed in South Africa so far :
1992 4 Match series Proteas won 1-0
1996 3 Match series Proteas won 2-0
2001 3 Match Series Proteas won 1-0
2006 3 Match series Proteas won 2-1
2010 3 Match series Drawn series 1-1
2014 2 Match series Proteas won 1-0
2018 so Far 2-0

 

[Oligochaetes]

 

[DHONI_FAN]

What hurts is that this pitch is still good to bat on

 

[Ab Fan]

Well no Indian team has ever been white washed in South Africa so far :
1992 4 Match series Proteas won 1-0
1996 3 Match series Proteas won 2-0
2001 3 Match Series Proteas won 1-0
2006 3 Match series Proteas won 2-1
2010 3 Match series Drawn series 1-1
2014 2 Match series Proteas won 1-0
2018 so Far 2-0

India's best chance to win the series!

 

[RamLakhan]

Rohit Sharma is on a mission here...

 

[sensible-indian-fan]

What hurts is that this pitch is still good to bat on

It is.

Just keep out the low bouncing balls every now and then and you can score.

Rohit on his way to cementing a spot in the 3rd test.

No pressure. Play like a jolly fellow. Stat boost.

PPers can then declare he is the highest scorer in an innings where all his team mates crumbled.

 

[Bhaag Viru Bhaag]

That's why I say I don't trust Ashwin's batting these days.

This could have just as easily happened 1st innings too.

Any runs he scores is bonus.

He is someone who has genuine ability to play on all pitches but is too indisciplined.

What are your thoughts on indian team performance so far on this tour? You were pretty hopeful of our team performing and winning away from india?

 

[Varun]

Might as well go for the tonk. Nothing to lose.

 

[Oligochaetes]

Rohit Sharma... pure class... Only Indian to cross 20 in this innings. Wadda playa! Should be a permanent fixture in this Indian Test Team =)

 

[Nikhil_cric]

Oh well atleast we didn't get bowled out below 50 like some other teams #Moralvictory

 

[DHONI_FAN]

It is.

Just keep out the low bouncing balls every now and then and you can score.

Rohit on his way to cementing a spot in the 3rd test.

No pressure. Play like a jolly fellow. Stat boost.

PPers can then declare he is the highest scorer in an innings where all his team mates crumbled.

I guarantee Steve Smith would have scored century on this very pitch. He is definitely miles ahead of Kohli in test cricket both as a captain and as a batsman

 

[sensible-indian-fan]

What are your thoughts on indian team performance so far on this tour? You were pretty hopeful of our team performing and winning away from india?

This team had the quality to win here.

I stand by it even now.

 

[sensible-indian-fan]

I guarantee Steve Smith would have scored century on this very pitch. He is definitely miles ahead of Kohli in test cricket both as a captain and as a batsman

Comparing Kohli with Steve Smith is just a pointless exercise.

Kohli is good.

Steve Smith is insane.

No comparison.

 

[babajee]

Now Indians are understanding what it feels like when Hafeez scores runs

 

[RamLakhan]

What hurts is that this pitch is still good to bat on

For Sehwag, Sachin, Dravid, Laxman... Well they would also have made constructed a wall at slips! This tour just shows how ridiculous is our team, strategies, captaincy, coaching, etc. It looks like an IPL team, Its not a national side!... Play based on cheering, time-convenience and casualness (play when you want, practice when you want, pick whom you want)...

 

[Varun]

What are your thoughts on indian team performance so far on this tour? You were pretty hopeful of our team performing and winning away from india?

This hasn't been the worst tour. We're getting to the 4th innings and are unable to chase the total. The bowlers have been the positives.

I hope we get to bat first next game. Let's see how we go then.

 

[sensible-indian-fan]

Now Indians are understanding what it feels like when Hafeez scores runs

The worst is dealing with the Hafeez supporters after the game.

AAAAAAARRRRGGGGHHHHH

[MENTION=135134]CricketAnalyst[/MENTION] - Love you bro. Just don't agree with some of your views. Don't take my comments as personal digs.

 

[Oligochaetes]

Shami

 

[Varun]

For Sehwag, Sachin, Dravid, Laxman... Well they would also have made constructed a wall at slips! This tour just shows how ridiculous is our team, strategies, captaincy, coaching, etc. It looks like an IPL team, Its not a national side!... Play based on cheering, time-convenience and casualness (play when you want, practice when you want, pick whom you want)...

The WORST part about this tour is chucking all the warm-up games so we can play some T20s against the Mendis-Silva XI. Typical BCCI tossers were behind that decision.

 

[Savage]

This is becoming very frustrating.

I still believe This was our best chance to win series in SA(yup even more than 2010-2011 SA tour) instead we are most likely going to be Whitewashed for the first time Ever in SA.

Apart from Chearleading, Kohli has been poor in every other department.But that doesn't explain how our batting has been so poor.Keeping Conditions in mind,Our batting performance has been one of the worst in this series.Whenever we were presented with opportunity to dominate,Batsmen have thrown their wickets away at crucial points.Our batting performance could've been lot worse if it wasn't for our lower order.Fielding and Bowling hasn't been great either.

Pujara has been major disappointment with bat in this series.After another idiotic run-out,he has enhanced his reputation as Ultimate HTB.

 

[DHONI_FAN]

For Sehwag, Sachin, Dravid, Laxman... Well they would also have made constructed a wall at slips! This tour just shows how ridiculous is our team, strategies, captaincy, coaching, etc. It looks like an IPL team, Its not a national side!... Play based on cheering, time-convenience and casualness (play when you want, practice when you want, pick whom you want)...

What to do when you chuck out genuine lovers of the game like Kumble and bring in Cheer Leaders Shastri

 

[Varun]

If I were South Africa I'll remove Maharaj from the attack.

He's getting pounded.

 

[Madplayer]

Ngidi looks better than Rabada lol

 

[BunnyRabbit]

Constant harping of "intent" in the press conference which can mess with your brain.

Different players have different skill sets.

If someone doesn't perform, they can be removed. But they should play in a way they feel comfortable.

Nick Compton suffered the same fate as well. He was also a very fine defensive batter before Bayliss asked for aggressive number 3 in the press conference. Messed with his brain, plus Compton also proved to be a bit weak mentally.

 

[jagatk]

Sharmaji ka ladka playing the ultimate selfish innings here, I don't care if we lose just let me score runs and be not out in the end.

 

[Varun]

Nick Compton suffered the same fate as well. He was also a very fine defensive batter before Bayliss asked for aggressive number 3 in the press conference. Messed with his brain, plus Compton also proved to be a bit weak mentally.

And England still haven't found an opening partner for Cook, and at the current rate Cook will also retire before one gets here.

These decisions from team managements are funny.

 

[Oligochaetes]

166 to win, Sharmaji single handedly cementing his place for the next test.

 

[Slog]

Can Mr. Talented Rohit Sharma finally do justice to the hype and win India an impossible match?

 

[Varun]

Can Mr. Talented Rohit Sharma finally do justice to the hype and win India an impossible match?

More likely that he'll score a cute 55 in a losing cause and keep Rahane out for another game. Next game when the pressure is on in the first innings, he'll flop again.

 

[Slog]

India has scored a lot of pointless runs this series so far (Ashwin in last test match 4th innings and now this)

 

[DuckMaster]

I guarantee Steve Smith would have scored century on this very pitch. He is definitely miles ahead of Kohli in test cricket both as a captain and as a batsman

There is not even a comparison between the two. Smith wipes the floor with Kohli in Test cricket.

 

[Xoib]

This team had the quality to win here.

I stand by it even now.

SAF was there for the taking. Their bowling is good but batting is dodgy as hell all it needed was one disciplined 450+ batting performance to win a test match however India has been casual in a betting and strategy Unsettled opening pair Pujara run outs baffling dropping of Rahane has cost India dearly.

 

[Sam99]

Shami is looking more dangerous than Talent Sharma

 

[Varun]

India has scored a lot of pointless runs this series so far (Ashwin in last test match 4th innings and now this)

Ashwin was trying to scrap toward the total. It wasn't really pointless. Another half-hour of that and it would have been serious business.

 

[Slog]

Wasay India team ought to be ashamed for their performance in this match...

The pitch is as favorable as they will ever get in SA and they have a a fairly strong team against a Saffer team with a new combination

 

[Varun]

Lunch in under 15 minutes.

 

[Slog]

SAF was there for the taking. Their bowling is good but batting is dodgy as hell all it needed was one disciplined 450+ batting performance to win a test match however India has been casual in a betting and strategy Unsettled opening pair Pujara run outs baffling dropping of Rahane has cost India dearly.

Batting the Saffers have quite a few passengers

Indian bowling did its job

 

[sensible-indian-fan]

Can Mr. Talented Rohit Sharma finally do justice to the hype and win India an impossible match?

I am not sure whether Ashwin's last innings in 1st test was pointless.

He may not have been under great pressure with top order gone but Saffers were getting real restless cos the total was low and Bhuvi was gioving him solid support.

Another half an hour on the crease and Saffers would have had palpitations.

 

[DuckMaster]

Every Indian batsman going in should be told... "we are seven down".

 

[Ozymandiasza]

"Undisputed number one team, one of the best of all time and comparible to the great WI and AUS team", hey?

Where are these people?

 

[sensible-indian-fan]

SAF was there for the taking. Their bowling is good but batting is dodgy as hell all it needed was one disciplined 450+ batting performance to win a test match however India has been casual in a betting and strategy Unsettled opening pair Pujara run outs baffling dropping of Rahane has cost India dearly.

Batting was constantly chopped and changed. No one apart from kohli has a secure spot. Think about it. Not a single batsman.

Team management declined BCCI offer to fly out test players early to SA.

Complete botch up job.

And then catch dropped.

I think we dropped around 10 catches this test alone (including simple, sharp, misjudgement chances).

 

[Oligochaetes]

"Undisputed number one team, one of the best of all time and comparible to the great WI and AUS team", hey?

Where are these people?

You forgot to add "@ Home"

 

[DuckMaster]

"Undisputed number one team, one of the best of all time and comparible to the great WI and AUS team", hey?

Where are these people?

Busy ridiculing the "champions" showcasing their worth in NewZealand.

 

[Oligochaetes]

Career Defining knock from Rohit 44*

 

[Varun]

"Undisputed number one team, one of the best of all time and comparible to the great WI and AUS team", hey?

Where are these people?

Who said this? I'd like to have a word with them.

Were they Internet heroes or commentators and ex-players?

 

[MMHS]

Must say - you don't get a bigger choker than SAF. They have still 150 at hand and that fielding position 4 minutes before lunch ........ wonder, if the target was 220....

 

[mkyawar]

If these 2 can get it below 100 then trust SA to panic or choke. Trust me when put under pressure they are he biggest bottlers to set foot on earth

 

[Varun]

I love the fact that the stump mics are tuned up this series.

 

[Oligochaetes]

ABDV is there again...lol.

Rohit Gone :

 

[Sam99]

Talent is Rabada's bunny for sure.