What's new

South Africa vs India | 1st Test | Cape Town | Jan 5-9, 2018 | Day 1 | Discussion Thread

This is probably the best pace attack of SA I have ever seen. There is no weakness, freebies what so ever, they are all top tier test bowlers :ab:
 
Pujara just left a similar ball that Kohli got out to.

Seriously pathetic batting from openers and Kohli. They need to understand they are not in India anymore. They cannot play the shots that they could play in India.
 
The only thing that'd be worse for India at the moment is if Shehryar Khan invaded the pitch with banner inscribed "Honour the MOU".

In all seriousness, there's just no let up in this South African attack. No weak link you can identify.
 
To me real test now - SA were 3 down too when they mounted their fight back
 
THIS is where we need Rahane.

0-3 beckons.
 
Let's go easy on Kohli. I am sure he will hit a century in one of the innings. He will average above 40 for sure.
 
Rabada coming to bowl after 3 down. This is a very very strong SA attack really.
 
6:01pm A packet of breath for India, that last over. They deserved it on humanitarian grounds. South Africa have completely battered them over ten overs.

:91:
 
South Africa 12/3 = Great batsmen.

India 28/3 = FTB's

Great logic by the usual suspects.
 
Markhor said:
The only thing that'd be worse for India at the moment is if Shehryar Khan invaded the pitch with banner inscribed "Honour the MOU".

In all seriousness, there's just no let up in this South African attack. No weak link you can identify.
Click to expand...

:)))

Bhai you made an old man spew coffee on the first day back at work. :D
 
Varun said:
6:01pm A packet of breath for India, that last over. They deserved it on humanitarian grounds. South Africa have completely battered them over ten overs.

:91:
Click to expand...

Not really. Battered is when bowlers keep beating the bat and finally cleaning them up.

Vijay and Dhawan started very well before gifting their wickets. Their wickets have nothing to do with the bowlers.

Kohli is the only one that got a superb delivery from Morkel. Even then, Kohli could have left it easily.
 
It will be a miracle if India reaches 250 against this SA attack on these conditions
 
Anti climatic over by Morkel, 6 balls left in a row. Back to his rubbish, thought he turned the corner.
 
THIS is real cricket. Not the joke we play versus Lanka at Pallekele and Indore.
 
Good news will be that Rahul will be confirmed as an opener from next test.
 
CricketCartoons said:
You are talking as if rahane is the second coming of Dravid. Rohit Sharma is more than capable to replicate his ODI legendary innings in Test matches.
Click to expand...

Except that he's played a silver jubilee number of matches and he hasn't done it once.
 
troodon said:
Not really. Battered is when bowlers keep beating the bat and finally cleaning them up.

Vijay and Dhawan started very well before gifting their wickets. Their wickets have nothing to do with the bowlers.

Kohli is the only one that got a superb delivery from Morkel. Even then, Kohli could have left it easily.
Click to expand...

Dhawan was rushed, Steyn cranked it up. I expect similar dismissals tomorrow as the pitch quickens.
 
Saffers should bowl thrash to Sharmaji so that he confirms his place in the side ahead of Rahane as it would help them win the series 3-0.
 
MenInG said:
To me real test now - SA were 3 down too when they mounted their fight back
Click to expand...

The only difference is SA still had Faf, ABD and De Kock while we only have Pujara.

Great decision to have Rohit in place of Rahane.
 
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-lang="en"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">I think I may have done something wrogn today</p>— Virat Kohli (@imVkohli) <a href="https://twitter.com/imVkohli/status/535288969588527104?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">November 20, 2014</a></blockquote>
<script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>
 
Ab Fan said:
Saffers should bowl thrash to Sharmaji so that he confirms his place in the side ahead of Rahane as it would help them win the series 3-0.
Click to expand...

He can still get out to trash bowling. But jokes apart a perfect time for him to do well in test cricket (will be alot hard) but if he manages to make some partnership and score runs then it will be great for him and team.
 
soso_killer said:
Dhawan was rushed, Steyn cranked it up. I expect similar dismissals tomorrow as the pitch quickens.
Click to expand...

Dhawan was rushed. Not questioning it.

But no sane batsman would play that T20 shot in a Test match and that too being an opener in the first 5 overs.

Dhawan should have played with a straight bat and it would be no issue. Clearly shows that he lacks temperament. That is a T20 shot and Dhawan should be dropped just for being an idiot.
 
Pujara looks composed,he might scores well tomorrow

Rest all are hit or miss players
 
LastManstanding said:
If Kohli can't stop playing the dab to third man, he should stop playing Odis and T20s.
Click to expand...

That dab works well in Asia.

Kohli thinks that he needs to score of every ball even when the ball is bouncing and moving around. It seems to be an urge he can't control.
 
troodon said:
Pujara just left a similar ball that Kohli got out to.

Seriously pathetic batting from openers and Kohli. They need to understand they are not in India anymore. They cannot play the shots that they could play in India.
Click to expand...

I don't get why they selected Dhawan and Sharma?? - They should have gone for Rahual and Rahana. How they could drop Rahana?? - It was an arrogant move, they thought making 100s in AUS/SA is piece of cake...Those Phatta 200s clouded their thinking :(
 
If Rohit scores a 120 tomorrow, all is forgiven.

But I highly doubt it.
 
subbu said:
It will be a miracle if India reaches 250 against this SA attack on these conditions
Click to expand...

There is nothing scary on these conditions..... Ball didn't seam and swing as much as it did early in the day
 
Varun said:
If Rohit scores a 120 tomorrow, all is forgiven.

But I highly doubt it.
Click to expand...

Dont know why people are putting it completely past Rohit to score runs. Yes it is difficult but not improbable.

However i still remember his "sledge" to steyn his last time in SA , "come to India,we will show you there" :)))
 
yasir said:
I don't get why they selected Dhawan and Sharma?? - They should have gone for Rahual and Rahana. How they could drop Rahana?? - It was an arrogant move, they thought making 100s in AUS/SA is piece of cake...Those Phatta 200s clouded their thinking :(
Click to expand...

I can understand the reason behind dropping Rahane. He was really terrible against Lanka. Looked worse than a tailender. He seems to have lost his confidence. Needed a break. Rohit was scoring so many runs and even in Tests when he got the chances, he played very well. So hard to drop Rohit.

But Everyone knows Rahul is a much better player than Dhawan in tough conditions. He would never play a bone headed shot that Dhawan did.

Vijay's shot was horrible. Plays so many dots and finally ends up chasing wide half volleys.
 
Weather it is test or ODI, you bring Kholi early to the crease, when ball is new, chances of him fail is 70+%. There is a reason he does not open in ODI and play one down in test, moving and jumping ball is his weakness. He is no Steve Smith or AB, we may discover that this year.
 
Madplayer said:
Dont know why people are putting it completely past Rohit to score runs. Yes it is difficult but not improbable.

However i still remember his "sledge" to steyn his last time in SA , "come to India,we will show you there" :)))
Click to expand...

Steyn never came to India. But Rohit is a boss when batting in Asia. Even in ICC tournaments where the pitches are super flat.

If the pitch flattens out tomorrow, then Rohit can score runs. But he needs some luck in the first 10 overs of the 2nd day morning.
 
troodon said:
I can understand the reason behind dropping Rahane. He was really terrible against Lanka. Looked worse than a tailender. He seems to have lost his confidence. Needed a break. Rohit was scoring so many runs and even in Tests when he got the chances, he played very well. So hard to drop Rohit.

But Everyone knows Rahul is a much better player than Dhawan in tough conditions. He would never play a bone headed shot that Dhawan did.

Vijay's shot was horrible. Plays so many dots and finally ends up chasing wide half volleys.
Click to expand...

Rahane should have given a test match here. If he continues his failures, then he should have dropped. There is no point in picking Sharma over Rahane in South African conditions against South African attacks.
 
JUST who had the better of day one of the Freedom Series at PPC Newlands on Friday will in all probability not be clarified until well into day two. The Standard Bank Proteas found themselves on 12/3 after winning the toss and deciding to bat first under hazardous conditions to three testing overs from Bhuvneshwar Kumar but critically still had AB de Villiers at the crease.

The Proteas returning warrior launched a calculated counter-attack that set the mood for the rest of the innings as he and his captain, Faf du Plessis, shared a stand of 114 that enabled the Proteas to score 107/3 in the first session and then 123/4 in the second.

Their final total of 286 coming at a rate of almost four to the over must have exceeded their expectations after the first half-hour’s play.

In reply India closed on 28/3 but had critically lost the wicket of their captain, Virat Kohli, to the first delivery sent down by Morne Morkel, coming on at first change behind Vernon Philander and Dale Steyn who between them accounted for both the Indian opening batsmen.

As always it is better to pass judgment on who holds the advantage until both sides have completed their first innings but with 13 wickets having already fallen for 314 runs the match is moving forward very rapidly and there is nothing to suggest that batting conditions are going to become any easier. If anything, the pitch should become quicker – a point made by Du Plessis when he explained his decision to bat first at the toss – and inconsistent bounce could also come into the equation in the second half of the match.

It is still early days in the career of Ottis Gibson as the Proteas head coach but, if today was anything to go by, he is bringing a touch of Calypso style to the team from his native Caribbean. In the first place the Proteas opted for the attacking option of choosing four specialist pace bowlers plus the spin variety of Keshav Maharaj, in the second the team opted to bat first when bowling may have been a softer option, and in the third the batting line-up struck 39 fours and 2 sixes which, apart from anything else, was largely responsible for a cash injection of R79 500 into the Sunfoil Education Trust (SET) from the number of boundaries and sixes hit and wickets taken.

It added up to a day of high entertainment thoroughly enjoyed by a crowd of close on 15 000.

Both De Villiers and Du Plessis hit 10 centuries in reaching their half-centuries and this was followed by the 60 that Quinton de Kock and Philander put on for the sixth wicket in just 9 overs.

There was also the justification for the line-up chosen with the first five wicket partnerships contributing 142 runs and the last five 144.

India’s attack was superbly led by Khumar who deserved a five-wicket haul but had to settle for 4/87 from his 19 overs. Jasprit Bumrah, chosen for his debut Test, started what should be a substantial career with the wicket of De Villiers while the all-rounder, Hardik Pandya, also proved his worth.

They will, however, reflect on what a dropped chance by Shikhar Dhawan at third slip cost them as it enabled Maharaj to rally the lower-order with an invaluable innings of 35. It is margins of this sort that could well determine which side comes out on top.
 
yasir said:
Weather it is test or ODI, you bring Kholi early to the crease, when ball is new, chances of him fail is 70+%. There is a reason he does not open in ODI and play one down in test, moving and jumping ball is his weakness. He is no Steve Smith or AB, we may discover that this year.
Click to expand...

Bolded part is untrue. You can do an inning by inning analysis of Kohli in ODI's. Most of the times he has scored a ton when he has come in to bat early.

Still has problems in his test technique though, it seems.
 
Conditions are suited for Rohit's style of batting. Expect a big score from him tomorrow.
 
^ Clearly SA won Day-1.

If India were only 28-1, then it would have been even stevens. But losing Vijay and Kohli who are the Top3 makes this SA day.

Also, India are playing only 5 batsmen. Saha/Ashwin/Pandya can bat. But you cannot really trust them. If India has any hope of competing in this Test, then Saha/Pandya/Ashwin/Bhuvi needs to score at least 100-150 runs between them. Just like how SA batsmen did.

India has to somehow score 230-240 runs on this surface. Otherwise, they will lose this Test by 8 or 9 wickets.
 
troodon said:
Steyn never came to India. But Rohit is a boss when batting in Asia. Even in ICC tournaments where the pitches are super flat.

If the pitch flattens out tomorrow, then Rohit can score runs. But he needs some luck in the first 10 overs of the 2nd day morning.
Click to expand...

How much does steyn average in India?
 
I think India will recover. The wicket didn't seem tough. They got themselves out with poor shots. But 17 wickets left, so not over.
 
BaankeJi said:
Conditions are suited for Rohit's style of batting. Expect a big score from him tomorrow.
Click to expand...

This is not Kolkatta's flat road bha ji. The pitch is pretty quick and there is good enough bounce for Saffer bowlers to make Indian batsmen dance tomorrow. Rohit Sharma is not THAT good to change India's fortunes in this test match.
 
Madplayer said:
How much does steyn average in India?
Click to expand...

Steyn never bowled to Rohit in a Test match in India.

But in IPL, Rohit has scored lots of runs against Steyn. But IPL and Test cricket are different.

Steyn was injured during the last SA-Ind series after Rohit made those comments. But Steyn bowled very well in his previous series in India.
 
troodon said:
^ Clearly SA won Day-1.

If India were only 28-1, then it would have been even stevens. But losing Vijay and Kohli who are the Top3 makes this SA day.

Also, India are playing only 5 batsmen. Saha/Ashwin/Pandya can bat. But you cannot really trust them. If India has any hope of competing in this Test, then Saha/Pandya/Ashwin/Bhuvi needs to score at least 100-150 runs between them. Just like how SA batsmen did.

India has to somehow score 230-240 runs on this surface. Otherwise, they will lose this Test by 8 or 9 wickets.
Click to expand...

Surely, India can easily avoid the follow-on, can't they?
 
troodon said:
South Africa 12/3 = Great batsmen.

India 28/3 = FTB's

Great logic by the usual suspects.
Click to expand...

The thing is SA had two batsmen who could counter-attack. We don't. Pujara is not going to counter.
And Rohit is very capable of getting out trying to counter. I think we might be looking at a sub 150 total here.
 
Nothing to worry 1st day of test match
India will have to see-off many phases like this if they like to win test series in SA
 
Can somebody tell Rohit that it's a 50-over game tomorrow, but with white clothing?

That's our only chance.
 
ego-gambit said:
Nothing to worry 1st day of test match
India will have to see many phases like this if they like to win test series in SA
Click to expand...

The part to worry is how Kohli got out, and the dumb selection choices. There's no reason for Rahul and Rahane to not be in the side.
 
It’s funny how people underrate Rohit Sharma here.
He is a better batsman than Rahane in every format and on any track.
Ask the opposition to who they prefer to bowl.
In odi’s, even if it’s flat tracks he has already played great innings against great fast bowlers: in Australia vs Australia, in India vs South Africa. Something no other Indian batsman has done, not even Kohli.
 
Varun said:
Can somebody tell Rohit that it's a 50-over game tomorrow, but with white clothing?

That's our only chance.
Click to expand...

Making it an ODI match doesn't change the fact that he will be facing Morkel/Steyn/Rabada/Philander rather than Lakmal and company
 
Third Man said:
Surely, India can easily avoid the follow-on, can't they?
Click to expand...

If India loses Pujara early tomorrow, then we can get bundled for 120 runs. Indian lower order and tail can wag. But can they do it in SA conditions? No sure.

If Pujara and Rohit can put on a 100 run partnership like Faf and ABD did, then India will more than avoid follow on.

India should aim to be at 100-4 by lunch. Then the likes of Saha, Ashwin, Pandya and Kumar can push the score beyond 200.

The partnership between Sharma and Pujara will be the key here. They need to grind it out and endure the storm. If they survive the initial onslaught, then runs will flow in the post lunch session.

Lots of ifs there. My gut feeling is, India will be bundled out for 170.
 
troodon said:
If India loses Pujara early tomorrow, then we can get bundled for 120 runs. Indian lower order and tail can wag. But can they do it in SA conditions? No sure.
Click to expand...

Which would be fully deserved with the XI we picked.
 
Varun said:
Can somebody tell Rohit that it's a 50-over game tomorrow, but with white clothing?

That's our only chance.
Click to expand...

Naah. Sharmaji doesn't perform on green tracks which you get at times in odis either. It needs to be a good batting pitch for him to get the runs in any format of the game. In odis, it is the case for most of the time but not this test.
 
Syed1 said:
I dont think follow on is an issue. India need to get within a 100 of SA's score to have a fighting chance in this test.
Click to expand...

If we get past the first hour (the ball becomes older than 20 overs) unscathed, I think we will get close to their score but if we lose a couple in first 30 min with Pujara being one of them, then we may concede a 125+ lead.
 
Syed1 said:
Making it an ODI match doesn't change the fact that he will be facing Morkel/Steyn/Rabada/Philander rather than Lakmal and company
Click to expand...

Rohit has scored against Starc, Hazlewood in ODI's in Australia. Yes, the pitches are flat there unlike in SA. So the chances are grim.

Like [MENTION=132715]Varun[/MENTION] said, Rohit's only chance to score runs is if he starts treating this match as an ODI. If he clicks, then he will score super fast. Playing defense is not his stronger suit. He will get out sooner or later.
 
troodon said:
Rohit has scored against Starc, Hazlewood in ODI's in Australia. Yes, the pitches are flat there unlike in SA. So the chances are grim.

Like [MENTION=132715]Varun[/MENTION] said, Rohit's only chance to score runs is if he starts treating this match as an ODI. If he clicks, then he will score super fast. Playing defense is not his stronger suit. He will get out sooner or later.
Click to expand...

This pitch isn't that bad. They just played terrible shots.
 
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-partner="tweetdeck"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">What a day of Test cricket! 13 wickets fall as India reach Stumps on Day 1 28/3 after bowling out South Africa for 286.<a href="https://t.co/RCDNKxDK1z">https://t.co/RCDNKxDK1z</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/SAvIND?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#SAvIND</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/FreedomSeries?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#FreedomSeries</a> <a href="https://t.co/y1DgczG8hd">pic.twitter.com/y1DgczG8hd</a></p>— ICC (@ICC) <a href="https://twitter.com/ICC/status/949310732688084992?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">January 5, 2018</a></blockquote>
<script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>
 
Sachin136 said:
This pitch isn't that bad. They just played terrible shots.
Click to expand...

There is a lot of bounce and a hit of movement available for bowlers. So it wont be easy to play the shots that Rohit plays in ODI's on flat tracks.

For India's sake one of Rohit and Pujara scores a century here and the lower order and tail needs to chip in with useful 20's. Something SA did when they batted. Everyone after Top 3 chipped in with useful contributions.
 
troodon said:
If India loses Pujara early tomorrow, then we can get bundled for 120 runs. Indian lower order and tail can wag. But can they do it in SA conditions? No sure.

If Pujara and Rohit can put on a 100 run partnership like Faf and ABD did, then India will more than avoid follow on.

India should aim to be at 100-4 by lunch. Then the likes of Saha, Ashwin, Pandya and Kumar can push the score beyond 200.

The partnership between Sharma and Pujara will be the key here. They need to grind it out and endure the storm. If they survive the initial onslaught, then runs will flow in the post lunch session.

Lots of ifs there. My gut feeling is, India will be bundled out for 170.
Click to expand...

I asked the question because you said India will lose by 8/9 wickets if the lower order doesn't contribute. The only way that can happen is if India aren't able to avoid the follow-on.
 
Why are India playing half the team with T20 players?

One more wicket for SA and they are into the tail. :stokes
 
You must log in or register to reply here.

Similar threads

The Bald Eagle
South Africa (138 & 285/5) defeat Australia (212 & 207) by 5 wickets in the final to clinch the World Test Championship 2023/25 title
16 17 18
Replies
1K
Views
29K
wrongun
W
Cricket Warrior
  • Locked
South Africa vs Pakistan | 2nd ODI | Cape Town | December 19 | Pre-Match Discussion
Replies
41
Views
2K
lucky_fish
L
The Bald Eagle
India (283/1) deliver a crushing 135-run defeat to South Africa (148) to clinch the four-match T20I series 3-1
3 4 5
Replies
325
Views
9K
uppercut
U
BouncerGuy
India (219/6) defeat South Africa (208/7) by 11 runs to lead the 4-match T20I series by 2-1
2
Replies
93
Views
3K
BouncerGuy
BouncerGuy
The Bald Eagle
  • Locked
South Africa v India | 2nd Test | Cape Town | Jan 3-7 | Pre-Match Discussion
Replies
56
Views
2K
jnaveen1980
J
Back
Top