South Africa vs India | 2nd Test | Centurion | Jan 13-17, 2018 | Day 3 | Discussion Thread

[ego-gambit]

Gifting wickets by Pujara & Hardik ; two dropped chances of Amla in first innings will cost us this series otherwise we were atleast 70 - 80 ahead no chance of chasing above 230 in 4th Innings

 

[Sarwar89]

I think anything above 200 would be a tough ask
Kohli will have to play out of his skin once again and I think the pressure might just be too much even for him this time

Does South Africa have Warne, Yasir Shah, Jadeja or murali ? So 200 is going to be nothing target.

 

[DuckMaster]

How much do you reckon India could chase here?

40

 

[Varun]

I think anything above 200 would be a tough ask
Kohli will have to play out of his skin once again and I think the pressure might just be too much even for him this time

It doesn't help that we'll walk out with only two batsmen who can potentially overhaul this target: Vijay and Kohli.

 

[MMHS]

I think he (Tamim) found his mojo around two years ago and form that time onwards he has become a more mature and responsible player and tries to create impact in matches he plays.

Shehzada on the other hand is struggling to find his mojo but I believe if he ever finds it he will be good to watch. I know people will judge me for this statement but as I said if that ever happens only then we will be able to argue, his mindset is the problem if he starts to focus on creating an impact in a responsible manner during the match then playing like a vegetable in pursuit saving his position he will be a different player.

At least not with Shehzad bro., not with Shehzad.

Tamim is a sweet timer, natural sweet hitter of the ball - with maturity he has added placement and learned to put value on wicket. Shehzad is QeA product - good hitter of the ball, with ZERO placement - basically, a net practice product, who is fearsome against lower attack, but looks like fish out of water when there is a even contest.

 

[Madplayer]

Whatever people say about the eventual outcome of the series, atleast Indians have fought hard. It has not been one sided.

Credit goes to Indian bowlers and a couple of gutsy knocks. Mainly the bowlers.

 

[Robert]

Does South Africa have Warne, Yasir Shah, Jadeja or murali ? So 200 is going to be nothing target.

Was in the first test.

People seem to think the last innings of a test is like the last two nnings of a LO match. It isn't.

 

[sensible-indian-fan]

How much do you reckon India could chase here?

200 would be an ideal score to chase (SA 170 all out).

250 may or may not be.

I don't see this pitch being unplayable.

But issue for us is that our batsmen are short on confidence. If we throw away wickets like we did in first innings, even 150 is hard. Even 125.

But if we apply, we can get to 200 I reckon. Not a walk in park but doable.

Anyways, we will have to see how the pitch behaves as the day goes on to judge.

I am not certain yet. I just don't see how people can expect we will roll out SA for 100 here. Too big an ask.

 

[Madplayer]

It doesn't help that we'll walk out with only two batsmen who can potentially overhaul this target: Vijay and Kohli.

Pujara is capable too. Dont forget KL Rahul.

It would have been much much better if India had Rahane in place of Rohit and bhuvneshwar or even Jadeja in place of shami on this pitch.

 

[Deewana Mastana]

SA will need something in the excess of 350+ to challenge India and go for a win.

Anything below, India should be able to get them.

 

[CricketAnalyst]

200 would be an ideal score to chase (SA 170 all out).

250 may or may not be.

I don't see this pitch being unplayable.

But issue for us is that our batsmen are short on confidence. If we throw away wickets like we did in first innings, even 150 is hard. Even 125.

But if we apply, we can get to 200 I reckon. Not a walk in park but doable.

Anyways, we will have to see how the pitch behaves as the day goes on to judge.

I am not certain yet. I just don't see how people can expect we will roll out SA for 100 here. Too big an ask.

This reveals a lot.

Mainly, it's YOU who doesn't have confidence in India. Not that the Indian batsmen themselves lack it. There were two nut case run outs and a loose shot by Vijay that are why we don't have a lead.

 

[ego-gambit]

Whatever people say about the eventual outcome of the series, atleast Indians have fought hard. It has not been one sided.

Credit goes to Indian bowlers and a couple of gutsy knocks. Mainly the bowlers.

Rubbish batting by India these moral victories doesn't mean much ; hardik pandya 93 in first test & kohli 153 in this test otherwise both are one sided contest
SA is not under any pressure of taking wickets they know India will throw them after every 8 overs

 

[DuckMaster]

40

Sorry, I meant 240. You can't edit your post here... why?

 

[jagatk]

Rubbish batting by India these moral victories doesn't mean much ; hardik pandya 93 in first test & kohli 153 in this test otherwise both are one sided contest
SA is not under any pressure of taking wickets they know India will throw them after every 8 overs

If we hadn't dropped those catches in both games and hadn't given cheap run-outs to SA we would be in driving seat in this game and could have won the first game, see 2 can play the game.

 

[Madplayer]

Rubbish batting by India these moral victories doesn't mean much ; hardik pandya 93 in first test & kohli 153 in this test otherwise both are one sided contest
SA is not under any pressure of taking wickets they know India will throw them after every 8 overs

Even SA have batted poorly. Credit to Indian bowlers.

 

[Oligochaetes]

South Africa are effectively 98/2 and on course for a good score. Yea yea... anything can happen, but for now they are in front.

 

[ego-gambit]

If we hadn't dropped those catches in both games and hadn't given cheap run-outs to SA we would be in driving seat in this game and could have won the first game, see 2 can play the game.

Game was done and dusted with criminal self run out by Pandya thanks god for kohli innings we are only trailing by 28 if we had taken lead of 60 - 50 south Africa would have choked

 

[Varun]

Pujara is capable too. Dont forget KL Rahul.

Pujara will play tons of dots and get nowhere. Rahul is playing his first test in SA and you can't say with certainty that he will power us to 250 or 300 or whatever the total is.

 

[Kashmirilion]

This reveals a lot.

Mainly, it's YOU who doesn't have confidence in India. Not that the Indian batsmen themselves lack it. There were two nut case run outs and a loose shot by Vijay that are why we don't have a lead.

Isn't it the same for south Africa in the first innings gifted wickets to India? Otherwise maybe south Africa's total couldve been well out of reach!

 

[Slog]

so who does rain help?

AB was looking a million bucks so maybe this breaks his momentum?

 

[MMHS]

This game is gradually run by clowns & thugs & drunks - if this is what it takes to stop such a intriguing Test, then cricket shouldn't have been invented in England.

 

[DuckMaster]

I think SA will declare at tea tomorrow setting India around 375. India will lose by 125+ runs in the last session on day 5.

 

[jagatk]

Game was done and dusted with criminal self run out by Pandya thanks god for kohli innings we are only trailing by 28 if we had taken lead of 60 - 50 south Africa would have choked

If we had held on to our catches they wouldn't have made 250 let alone 335.

 

[mkyawar]

I think SA will declare at tea tomorrow setting India around 375. India will lose by 125+ runs in the last session on day 5.

relax mate. This is a funny test. with rain arrive, the bowl might seam around and shami/ishant and jaspirit may be lethal. Remeber SA were 66/3 nd then 130 allout

 

[Sarwar89]

Well and here we go. Rain and South Africa ( familiar story).

 

[sensible-indian-fan]

This reveals a lot.

Mainly, it's YOU who doesn't have confidence in India. Not that the Indian batsmen themselves lack it. There were two nut case run outs and a loose shot by Vijay that are why we don't have a lead.

It just reveals you haven't got me.

 

[sensible-indian-fan]

Is rain good or bad for India?

 

[battler]

Is rain good or bad for India?

Seamers might come more into the game, Ashwin might get negated a bit.

 

[CricketAnalyst]

Is rain good or bad for India?

I don't think anyone has an idea what impact (if any) it will have on the conditions.

I think India could use the break though. If they need to play themselves in again, it could help. And with Ashwin bowling so much the extra rest time will keep him going.

 

[Bewal Express]

Ind are well in this game and a couple of wickets and then they are in to the tail.

 

[troodon]

Not playing Jaddu on this pitch is criminal. Ashwin sometimes bowls cold. Jaddu is always ON when the conditions are suitable.

What is the point of 3 pacers on this pitch

 

[CricketAnalyst]

Not playing Jaddu on this pitch is criminal. Ashwin sometimes bowls cold. Jaddu is always ON when the conditions are suitable.

What is the point of 3 pacers on this pitch

I don't think anyone realized the pitch was like this until the game started.

 

[jnaveen1980]

Not playing Jaddu on this pitch is criminal. Ashwin sometimes bowls cold. Jaddu is always ON when the conditions are suitable.

What is the point of 3 pacers on this pitch

I think condition suitability is exaggerated. PItch is so slow. Not sure what he would have done here. Besides Ashwin should have taken fifer but for so many drops. Even in this innings he bowled so well for the first 6 overs with new ball. Just unlucky.

 

[jnaveen1980]

I don't think anyone realized the pitch was like this until the game started.

If you ask our fans to select team in hindsight our team will have 8 bowlers 3 batsmen. lol

 

[sensible-indian-fan]

Not playing Jaddu on this pitch is criminal. Ashwin sometimes bowls cold. Jaddu is always ON when the conditions are suitable.

What is the point of 3 pacers on this pitch

Hindsight.

 

[samplepiece]

Elgar should have bought a lottery ticket today.

 

[jagatk]

Parthiv Patel the kamran akmal of India another inspired pick by the chump.

 

[DuckMaster]

This partnership is hurting India big time. Shoulders of the Indian players must have started to droop by now.

 

[Ab Fan]

There is no sight better than watching this guy bat.

 

[Amjid Javed]

I dont think India want to be chasing more than 250 batting last

 

[CricketCartoons]

Not playing Jaddu on this pitch is criminal. Ashwin sometimes bowls cold. Jaddu is always ON when the conditions are suitable.

What is the point of 3 pacers on this pitch

Don't know why Kohli is carrying this deadweight bowler ashwin. Jadeja is a better bowler, batsman and fielder.

 

[Ab Fan]

Well bowled Bumrah!

 

[QalandarFan]

AB with another fifty!

 

[Ab Fan]

1st test: Comes to bat at 11-3 and played a game changing inning.

2nd test: Comes to bat at 3-2 and another fine 50*.

 

[Mamoon]

de Villiers has enhanced his reputation as as a Test batsman in this series. Played a hugely impactful knock in the first game, and this one is shaping up to be another match-winning innings. On the other hand, Amla has been pretty average whenever the heat has been on.

 

[QalandarFan]

Ahh i just woke up and wanted to watch AB bat.

 

[QalandarFan]

1st test: Comes to bat at 11-3 and played a game changing inning.

2nd test: Comes to bat at 3-2 and another fine 50*.

And people say he is not a good test player. Smh

 

[Mamoon]

This is the type of innings that he should have played often many years ago. He clearly has had the ability but not the mindset. It is late in his career now, but he still has time to make some amends. Would still go down as an underachiever when you consider his prodigious talent.

 

[Ab Fan]

These disturbances are so innoying.

 

[Mamoon]

And people say he is not a good test player. Smh

He has scored a lot of soft runs in his Test career. The likes of Smith, Amla and Kallis have scored tougher runs. However, he has been brilliant in this series.

 

[Ab Fan]

And people say he is not a good test player. Smh

Quality wise he was always a brilliant player. Just that he remained under cushion of some other senior players.

 

[QalandarFan]

Why is Virat so angry, it’s obviosuly way to dark.

 

[Ab Fan]

He has scored a lot of soft runs in his Test career. The likes of Smith, Amla and Kallis have scored tougher runs. However, he has been brilliant in this series.

I think it is the pretty obvious case when you bat with those three coming ahead of him. Most runs would be considered easier only. Between 2008-15, there are hardly 2-3 series he failed.

 

[Ab Fan]

He has scored a lot of soft runs in his Test career. The likes of Smith, Amla and Kallis have scored tougher runs. However, he has been brilliant in this series.

I don't recall Kallis with many impact knocks. It is just that the guy was rock consistent, played for 18 years and hence was a great servant for the country.

 

[troodon]

I think its game over for India.

SA will score in excess of 250 in the 2nd innings and India will be chasing close to 300. Will be all out for 150.

Indian bowling lacks venom. Ishant is a dud. never once looked like taking wickets. He needs luck to get wickets even after playing so many Tests. Shami has poor fitness. Bumrah is still new.

Jaddu should have played in place of Ishant or Shami. Could have snapped up a couple bowling along side Ashwin today. Very poor team selection.

Rohit has no place in Test squad. He should stick to what he is good at. Playing ODI's and T20's. He does not have the technique or temparament for Test cricket. Planting his foot in the front and playing with bat behind pads is asking for trouble. Not sure of Rahane would have done any better considering his form. You may never know.

 

[Varun]

Yeah, this game is gone.

Have to bat out a draw somehow starting tomorrow.

 

[Sarwar89]

Yeah, this game is gone.

Have to bat out a draw somehow starting tomorrow.

What is the point of draw, Dhoni’s team already drew in 2010. Object of this Kohliz Team was to become first Asian and Indian team to beat This declining Proteas side on their own turf. History does not remember drawz much. Misbah drew 2-2 in England. Never got full appreciation.

 

[Varun]

What is the point of draw, Dhoni’s team already drew in 2010. Object of this Kohliz Team was to become first Asian and Indian team to beat This declining Proteas side on their own turf. History does not remember drawz much. Misbah drew 2-2 in England. Never got full appreciation.

I'm talking about drawing this test match for starters.

Drawing the series can come later. We will have to actually win a game to accomplish that lol.

 

[Saurav]

Hindsight.

Jadeja if fit should have played anyway.Performed well recently and SA has more RHBs

Anyway Ishant for Bhuvi still makes no sense

 

[sensible-indian-fan]

Parthiv dropped a catch again I heard.

Legendary Kaptan Kohli.

 

[sensible-indian-fan]

Parthiv Patel the kamran akmal of India another inspired pick by the chump.

I went out for a while and in the gap, Parthiv drops one. Lol.

 

[Sarwar89]

I'm talking about drawing this test match for starters.

Drawing the series can come later. We will have to actually win a game to accomplish that lol.

Originally it was a 4 match series but later on due to ipl tight schedule snd one dayers, both boards decided to make it 3 match series.

 

[Savage]

Parthiv dropped a catch again I heard.

Legendary Kaptan Kohli.

Yet some fans don't realize the importance of Saha to indian test team.

 

[MMHS]

Parthiv dropped a catch again I heard.

Legendary Kaptan Kohli.

Isn't that modern trend - dynamism? Here IND dropped Saha (OK, he was injured) to extract runs from WK; there PAK is tying to extract Captaincy ........... and both men sucks at their primary duty.

 

[Sachin136]

Parthiv dropped a catch again I heard.

Legendary Kaptan Kohli.

At least this series will sort out all the selection headaches before England.

 

[Ab Fan]

India losing this series due to poor team selection. This is so frustrating because this is the worst way to lose a series.

 

[ego-gambit]

Saha will be enjoying parthiv blunder behind wickets if parthiv not been able to contribute with the bat in 2nd innings and India lose the match
His test career will be over same with Rohit he will join yuvraj & Raina club

 

[MenInG]

No further play possible and play is called off for the day; At Stumps on Day 3, SA are 90/2 with a lead of 118 runs; An 87 runpartnership between Elgar (36*) and de Villiers (50*) as source of concern for India as are dropped catches #SAvInd #Cricket

 

[jnaveen1980]

Parthiv should be banned by ICC from keeping in the interest of protecting the reputation of Cricket.

 

[MMHS]

[MENTION=79064]MMHS[/MENTION] In the history of televised cricket. have there ever been a track like this one in SENA (for a visiting SC team?)?

I think, you are hinting a wicket that's so adverse to home side & favorable to tourists.

First, I actually don't think this wicket suits IND decisively, because toss had a factor. Ideally, IND would like to play on a wicket that has low but even bounce and dry - this one has nothing. On top of that, IND misread the wicket more than anyone - otherwise won't have dropped BK & would have played Jad. I rather think it's due to incompetence of the groundsman. CSAF must have lost millions for those 2 less days of broadcasting hence they have given verbal bashing to Groundsmen to make sure this wicket lasts for 6 days - young guy thought taking out grass would serve the purpose. Actually, he has done worse - a little bit of grass could have bonded the surface and made it little faster & even; we could have seen 400+ scores in both 1st innings at 3.5+ rate. They have distorted the game so much that you have nothing in between - you make good batting surface, 1st innings produces 575+; you add a little spice - it ends in 3/4 days. BECAUSE, the core of this game is ruined - batsmen's defense/temperament on tricky situation and bowlers' penetration on flat belters. And, despite so many fielding coaches around, catching behind batsmen has drastically regressed.

Coming to your question, I have seen few Tests where home side offered a dream surface for touring side and some from archives. I can recall -

1971 Oval Test (IND), when Poms provided 3 Indian spinners a dream wicket, when they had Snow, Arnold, Willis & Lever (IND had Abid Ali & Solkar ; and that was series decider

1974-5, BCCI gave Roberts his dream wicket at Madras
1981 MCG Test (IND) was played on a sluggish low track, which made Lillee, Thompson, Hogg ineffective from Day 2 (& Lillee frustrated)
1988, BCCI somehow made that old Kotla track (WI) for a start like 75 & 127 - 19 wickets to pacers in 7 hours (one run out) and Patterson cracking few Indian bones.
1996 SCG Test was played on a dream wicket for Mushi - throughout his career he had never bowled on such a bouncy, but quick & dry, true wicket in his homeland

In SAF itself, I think last PAK tour, Cape Town wicket was far more suitable for PAK team and they won the toss as well - somehow scored 339 and then allowed Robinson (? that left spinner) of all people to take SAF within 25 runs from 105/6 or so - I left counting after 6 drops ....... then Misbah & Azhar did exactly opposite to what AB did today - batted for 100 minutes on 4th morning for 18/19 runs . In India's 2006 (?) tour, I think last Test was played on a dream wicket for IND, and they went to 1st Tea at 160/0 or so .....

In general, what I have seen from early 90s to till 3/9 - PCB's farmers almost always prepared tracks that actually opposed their core strength - can't tell how much it helped tourists, but one thing I can say that you can't find a worse wicket for PAK team with free scoring stroke makers & attacking bowlers than those snooze feast (Abu Dhabi would look like WACA in comparison) - hence the result of 90's home series were quite interesting - 3 series losses to SRL (4, if I take an one of Test), series loss to SAF, IND, ENG, draw with IND & NZ ..... even a series loss to ZIM; an almost lost Test to a club level team ...

Don't see any conspiracy here, rather incompetence - that groundsman kid should have tried to prepare what he knew best.

 

[English August]

Yeah, this game is gone.

Have to bat out a draw somehow starting tomorrow.

There is no question of batting out a draw. There would be a result. You need Gavaskar, Mohinder Amarnath, Shastri in your team to bat out draws. These guys can't do it (unless substantial time is lost due to inclement weather).

 

[sensible-indian-fan]

Jadeja if fit should have played anyway.Performed well recently and SA has more RHBs

Anyway Ishant for Bhuvi still makes no sense

I have always wanted both of our spinners to play overseas.

Pandya's performance makes it complicated.

We miss Jaddu terribly. Ash and jaddu in tandem would have been crazy effective here.

 

[Saurav]

I have always wanted both of our spinners to play overseas.

Pandya's performance makes it complicated.

We miss Jaddu terribly. Ash and jaddu in tandem would have been crazy effective here.

Pandya actually allows us to play both.Unless its a green top,we don't need 4 pace options.He's good enough for 3 seamer in conditions like Centurion.The extra cushion is batting is huge bonus too.

We should pounce on any dry pitches by playing both

Its so disappointing to lose with a well below par team.Imagine Bhuvi,Jaddu and Rahane in this match

 

[battler]

Saffers leading by about 120. India have to wrap them inside a further 100 tomorrow or it's curtains.

 

[MenInG]

VIRAT KOHLI played one of the great innings in the young history of Test matches between India and the Standard Bank Proteas to leave the second Sunfoil Freedom Test match balanced on a knife edge after three days of intense competition between the two highest rank sides in world cricket at the moment.

By making 153 (217 balls, 15 fours) – his 21st Test century – he joined the illustrious company of Sachin Tendulkar in making a score in excess of 150 for India in a Test match in South Africa.

It was an outstanding innings by any standards but, when you put it into the context of the match situation in which he scored more than three times the runs of any of his compatriots and restricted the Proteas first innings lead to an insignificant 28 runs, its real value strikes home.

On a rain-shortened day the Proteas finished on 90/2 thanks to an unbroken stand of 87 between AB de Villiers and Dean Elgar for an overall lead of 118 runs with two full days still available and the home side will be looking to De Villiers, their own gladiator, to match the performance of Kohli.

The toast of Pretoria has yet to play a really big innings in this series although his contribution has been enormous when put into context and, like Kohli, he has brought an intensity to the crease that the other batsmen have not been able to match.

In the first Test at PPC Newlands he led a thrilling counter-attack after the Proteas had been reduced to 12/3 and made what turned out to be a match-winning first innings lead possible. Today he came to the crease at 3/2 in the sixth over and there is no knowing what he might achieve on his home ground, having already made 50 off only 78 balls with 6 fours.

The Proteas had their share of luck when India had to bowl with a wet ball on a wet outfield after an unscheduled thunder storm which resulted in the always threatening Ramichandran Ashwin being removed from the attack.

India had much the same luck in the first Test when the Proteas had to come out and bat on the fourth morning on a pitch that had been made more difficult by the previous day’s rain.

And it wasn’t all bad news for India as Jasprit Bumrah beat De Villiers with successive leg-cutters just before bad light had the final say.

It is now up to somebody on either side to seize the moment on day four. Kohli has already done it as has Ashwin who has not only been the most threatening bowler in the match but also helped Kohli in an invaluable lower-order partnership of 71 for the seventh wicket without which even Kohli could not have closed down the first innings deficit.

 

[Protea Fan]

Very composed and clutch inngs from AB this is,never looks like getting out under pressure and took away the game so quickly in no time.He just make batting look ridiculously easy when the score was 3/2 with some tricky bounce was their

Had india got ab just like amla it should have been the game set and match.But now its evenly poised

Elgar shown some grit but looks shaky against every bowlers.Faf may or may not score some runs,De kock is terribly out of form

So the more AB stays the better will be SA's chances here

 

[battler]

Parthiv's selection has really cost us this match

 

[Protea Fan]

Why are not india grooming young keepers like pant and samson,they all looks promising way back

Most of these 30+ keepers who playing the current international cricket are duds in the form of parthiv,saha,paine and wade

 

[troodon]

Why are not india grooming young keepers like pant and samson,they all looks promising way back

Most of these 30+ keepers who playing the current international cricket are duds in the form of parthiv,saha,paine and wade

You have to ease young keepers into International cricket by playing them in shorter formats first and then slowly into Test cricket.

Problem for India is that the resident Star keeper does not want to retire even from T20 format. A 37 yr old who wants to play T20 for his country. When will Pant or Samson or Ishan Kishen will ever get their chance. They cannot be brought in to play Test circket directly.

I am not saying that Pant or Samson or Kishen would have been like QDK if they had gotten a chance. But if you do not give them exposure, they will never shine.

Even QDK is not a great keeper. I have seen him miss many chances before. But SA fielding is generally top class. Covers up for the mistakes that keepers do most of the times.

 

[troodon]

Parthiv's selection has really cost us this match

Saha is injured. He has a niggle it seems from what I read.