South Africans, you better play or be prepared to be called wimps

[ManFan]

Shami was using a magical forcefield to block the variable bounce and score at a strike rate of 96.

 

[Madplayer]

And this pitch offers everything, scoring runs here is a mammoth task and kudos to players who performed here.. The pitch made an exciting match and showed viewers how gritty batsmen are.. Was a wonderful spectacle going on between bat and ball, grit vs skill, patience vs luck ..

All of it is true. But think of the players too. Its dangerous for them. These are not normal cricketing conditions. It was just day 3.

 

[CricketCartoons]

One has to laugh at the irony and the comedy of indian fans calling others cowards.

Same team which had 5 batsmen retire hurt because they were afraid to face west indian bowlers.

Same team which threatened to back their bags and leave a match midway in australia.

Same team which threatened to call of a tour because the match referee punished their players for ball tampering.

The fans which burned stadium when their team were on the verge of losing in a world cup semi final.

Same fans which rioted and had to be evicted from the stadium so that pakistan could continue beating their team in an empty stadium.

I guess it is the pent up frustration and inferiority complex, that after a good batting display in a dead rubber, their false bravado has woken up and they are calling south africans as cowards. Oh the irony.

 

[sensible-indian-fan]

Faf taking an offer to walk today increased our chances of win. Just because he asked for bouncy and green pitch, he doesn't have to make irrational decisions.

Faf didn't offer to walk earlier and he didn't offer to walk now. He simply took an offer made by umpires. I am sure that he would not have walked if SA was 10 runs away from a win. It's simply about making a good decisions to maximize your chance to win.

The situation results in how an action is perceived.

If you bay for bounce pitches and keep trying to bounce out opponents, it's an honorable thing to keep playing when you are faced with the same situation. The umpires offered a chance for him just because Elgar got hit. Not because of light or anything. So when you take the chance, the action will be perceived in the appropriate way.

Moreover, let's simplify:

I am saying SA walked out cos their bats couldn't cope.

You are saying SA walked out cos Faf wanted to maximize his chances of winning which he got when umpires offered him a way out when his batsmen couldn't cope.

Either way, it was a cowardly move.

 

[Ozymandiasza]

I didn't call out SA fans. Or the nation.

This wasn't directed at Faf alone. Directed at whole team.

It's not like umpires dragged out players. When Indians were on top and SA had a chance to walk out, they did. Sure, we can talk technicalities about intentions but let me ask you: If SA were 50/0 in 10 overs, would they have walked out?

Faf is a gutsy player sure. But this is a cowardly move.

On calling Saffers out: I see. "South Africans" is pretty general though.

Well, we'll talk again tomorrow. I suspect Faf, given the opportunity, will play on. I highly doubt he'll sacrifice the reputation of his country and team mates over a test match. Especially in a series already won. Of course his decision and the player's would be different if momentum were in their favour. Nothing strange about that though. These are professional atheletes who generally do anything to experience the euphoria of a win and remorse a loss.

Finally, cunning is not cowardace. Great captains understand this and I'm sure he's learned much of this concept from Smith.

 

[jagatk]

One has to laugh at the irony and the comedy of indian fans calling others cowards.

Same team which had 5 batsmen retire hurt because they were afraid to face west indian bowlers.

Same team which threatened to back their bags and leave a match midway in australia.

Same team which threatened to call of a tour because the match referee punished their players for ball tampering.

The fans which burned stadium when their team were on the verge of losing in a world cup semi final.

Same fans which rioted and had to be evicted from the stadium so that pakistan could continue beating their team in an empty stadium.

I guess it is the pent up frustration and inferiority complex, that after a good batting display in a dead rubber, their false bravado has woken up and they are calling south africans as cowards. Oh the irony.

Irony my friend is if India did what saffers are doing you would add this event to your little list above but because it isn't India doing it, this is fine. Hypocrisy at its finest isn't it.

 

[battler]

The situation results in how an action is perceived.

If you bay for bounce pitches and keep trying to bounce out opponents, it's an honorable thing to keep playing when you are faced with the same situation. The umpires offered a chance for him just because Elgar got hit. Not because of light or anything. So when you take the chance, the action will be perceived in the appropriate way.

Moreover, let's simplify:

I am saying SA walked out cos their bats couldn't cope.

You are saying SA walked out cos Faf wanted to maximize his chances of winning which he got when umpires offered him a way out when his batsmen couldn't cope.

Either way, it was a cowardly move.

I think it was more of umpires fault than anything, calling the match ref out was not neccessary and a bit of an over-reaction. It's like offering bad light to the batting team when they are struggling they will obviously take it.
But yeah if he really does want the match to be abandoned than that's pretty cowardly.

 

[Bhaag Viru Bhaag]

Agreed. Player life important. Sportsmanship spiirt must be shown. How about SA concede or accept defeat to ensure players safety. A home team is complainig about the track when they are starting to look at possible defeat. That's rich.

Cannot help but wonder what kind of volcano of comments would have erupted if India were the ones who complained in the same situation.

I have two options for Kohli to show his sportsmanship for South Africa

a) Give South African players a day off so that they can mentally prepare themselves to play on this pitch on Day 5

b) Ask all his fast bowlers to bowl spin.

 

[CricketCartoons]

Irony my friend is if India did what saffers are doing you would add this event to your little list above but because it isn't India doing it, this is fine. Hypocrisy at its finest isn't it.

It is again your inferiority complex speaking..you think the whole world is there to mock you. If you want to know my opinion, I support Bishan Singh Bedi's decision to have the batsmen retired hurt instead of facing west indian pace battery. Cricket is a gentlemans game, it is not a savage sport like boxing. Those who enjoy people being hurt and lives at risk, should quit watching cricket. They don't have the culture to enjoy this game.

 

[troodon]

Funny how these 'cowards' beat the best team in the world.

No final decision has been made and you guys are overreacting.

COwardice is not showing spine when things don't go your way.

For the first time, SA is batting last and they are batting on a tricky pitch with lots of bounce and Seam movement.

I don't know how Indian tail could score almost 100 runs while SA openers are struggling to cope with the steep bounce from good length.

When FTB's like Kohli, Pujara, Pandya, BK all batted without running away, why can't the ATG players like Elgar, Amla play?

Match is no way over. SA still has 9 wickets in hand. Just play and finish the match. Indians would not mind if they lose the match. 2-1 or 3-0 is still a series loss.

All this is showing is SA are scared to bat on this pitch now. The same pitch where Indian tail wagged.

 

[sensible-indian-fan]

On calling Saffers out: I see. "South Africans" is pretty general though.

Well, we'll talk again tomorrow. I suspect Faf, given the opportunity, will play on. I highly doubt he'll sacrifice the reputation of his country and team mates over a test match. Especially in a series already won. Of course his decision and the player's would be different if momentum were in their favour. Nothing strange about that though. These are professional atheletes who generally do anything to experience the euphoria of a win and remorse a loss.

Finally, cunning is not cowardace. Great captains understand this and I'm sure he's learned much of this concept from Smith.

1. There was a reason why I made a conditional statement and didn't declare. I didn't make a prediction. I believe SA will play (atleast I hope so). If not, then they will be called names.

2. Yes, cunning is different from cowardice. But sometimes cowardice can masquerade as cunning. Situation decides that. Anyways, even if he was cunning, why would anyone give him the benefit of the doubt in this current context?

Anyways, here's to a great day to end a great series.

 

[pillionrider]

It was quite obvious that Elgar dramatized the hit. The way he and the physio were acting, you'd have thought the ball sneaked in through the grill and smacked him on the forehead. Truth is, he's had a poor series and scored some unconvincing runs in between. Was batting like Stuart Broad out there against the short ball.

However, there could be several reasons behind the general feeling you got that South Africa preferred to walk off. The first is that they have already won the series. What is their motivation to go and fight it out, risk a few painful blows and be exposed regarding your skills/form in Elgar's case. Is there enough motivation available in this game for the Saffers?

The second is: South Africa are traditionally a safe team. They have had phenomenally skilled players but have always played the safer game whether it is with regard to field settings even when they're on top. They've also traditionally displayed a lack of desire to be prepared to lose just to secure a win, and so on.

Most of the time, when they've won, it's because their player's skills have been so superior in certain conditions to the opposition's. And that's why, despite having stunning players, they have always been a boring team to watch or follow.

So in this case, it would seem Elgar and Faf's body language would prefer a draw than risk a loss if an outlet were available.

Which of these is it, we can only speculate and fight among ourselves.

 

[Sachin136]

Even if they walked off, it isn't a big deal in the long run. As long as they don't call it off.

 

[jagatk]

It is again your inferiority complex speaking..you think the whole world is there to mock you. If you want to know my opinion, I support Bishan Singh Bedi's decision to have the batsmen retired hurt instead of facing west indian pace battery. Cricket is a gentlemans game, it is not a savage sport like boxing. Those who enjoy people being hurt and lives at risk, should quit watching cricket. They don't have the culture to enjoy this game.

So you support bedi's decision giving me a lecture on gentleman's sport and then still use it to try and prove that it is India who are hypocrites for calling SA cowards given their own cowardly history, rip irony.

 

[Savage]

Whined about rank turners for years.

Whined about Centurion pitch being an Indian pitch (lol).

Didn't complain when our bats were getting hit relentlessly in the 3rd innings.

I won't be surprised if they whined about this Pitch and say "it was BCCICC fault,who made this type of pitch to support Indians."

 

[CricketCartoons]

So you support bedi's decision giving me a lecture on gentleman's sport and then still use it to try and prove that it is India who are hypocrites for calling SA cowards given their own cowardly history, rip irony.

no, I am showing the mirror to those fans beating their puny little chests. My own opinion is that laws of the game should be followed, and lives are more important than the entertainment of loser fans.

 

[Sarwar89]

Had it been AB De Villiers, I feel he would have been under pressure to maintain His PR in Indian Market and would have given away in the meeting with ICC umpires referres and Kohli.
I am Glad Proteas Captain is Brigadier FAF Du Plessis. He has gotten under the skin of Indian fans. He is tough and would nkt sccuumb to BCCI Pressure.

 

[dhonixi]

[MENTION=145085]Sarwar89[/MENTION] lol bro. In the desperation that india will not win, you declare faf as a Brigadier for your brigade Aage chalo faf, hum tumhare sath hai

 

[jagatk]

no, I am showing the mirror to those fans beating their puny little chests. My own opinion is that laws of the game should be followed, and lives are more important than the entertainment of loser fans.

Whose beating chests, I want the team that moaned more than all other teams who came to India combined in last decade about spinning pitches, who moaned about getting a not to their liking pitch in their own country last week to grow a pair now that they have got their bouncy track and play on it rather than running away like they seem to be doing.

SA manager says a ball that pitches 8.5 mtrs from stumps was a good length delivery, Gibson says faf was saying it isn't fair to India to bat on this pitch yet seemed to have no issues having bowlers pepper our batsmen with short stuff. That to me is hypocrisy from management and cricketers.

There has been little to call this pitch dangerous if you look at SA innings, don't blame the pitch for Elgar's inability, by that standard every pitch that dhawan plays on can be called dangerous.

 

[in_cutter]

No not cowards. They had the right idea for the pitch but has backfired. The groundsman needs to be questioned..not the players.

 

[Ab Fan]

Ofcourse it will be hypocritic as well as cowardice from a South African point of view to call the match off because it is now their time to face the music.

There were lots of criticism going regarding the pitch from the beginning of the series and perhaps this was all started back in 2015 in India tour but now that this has backfired South Africans because they were demanding pitch with more grass, I dont think they will be calling the match off.

Today the game stopped probably because Elgar got hit and was hurt and hence the first thing you would look for is the safety of the team. You cant ignore that all of sudden and continue to play just because of not getting called "cowardice".

I am sure there is a whole lot of thing going to happen in the coming hours and tomorrow morning and after all that the match will continue because there adds the reputation factor which this South African team and their captain will lose if the game doesn't continue because of them.

 

[English August]

It was a clever ploy to:
- Avoid losing some more wickets in the evening
- Use this as an excuse to "repair" the pitch

They will use heavy rollers tomorrow and flatten the pitch. And then get to the target comfortably.

Well played, South Africans!

 

[Spidy201]

No not cowards. They had the right idea for the pitch but has backfired. The groundsman needs to be questioned..not the players.

player's were moaning after 2nd match. maybe it forced curator to make a doctored pitch.

 

[in_cutter]

player's were moaning after 2nd match. maybe it forced curator to make a doctored pitch.

There is no way anyone would ask for a pitch like this. What you need to understand is that the pitch will deteriorate further tomorrow. I don’t think the match will go ahead tomorrow.

 

[Spidy201]

There is no way anyone would ask for a pitch like this. What you need to understand is that the pitch will deteriorate further tomorrow. I don’t think the match will go ahead tomorrow.

so umpires and match officials should forecast how pitch will behave and make decisions on their prediction. good

and players would have loved this pitch if they were winning. I'm sure SA vs Aus series will have similar pitches, otherwise what's difference b/w asian doctored pitches and "sporting" non Asian pitches

 

[in_cutter]

Confirmed that the match WILL go ahead

 

[Ozymandiasza]

Any apologies? Of course not.

 

[sam_ahm]

The entire discussion here is hilarious. Umpires and the match referee have made a call. South African players have nothing to do with this.

Personally I think the match should continue, but we cannot wait for an unfortunate incident to happen to call off the match. Players safety must be of utmost importance. The umpires and match referee are the best people to take a call.

 

[drrashmin]

Proud to say Bhuvi, Shami not only more skillful batsmen than Elgar, Amla. Also they were able to handle SA bowlers well on the same pitch. Also greats like SA batsmen found it difficult to handle so called "Indian trundlers" on the same pitch.

When Vijay, Kohli and tailenders of India were getting hit on their bodies during Indian batting, where were all these posters?

 

[Ozymandiasza]

Proud to say Bhuvi, Shami not only more skillful batsmen than Elgar, Amla. Also they were able to handle SA bowlers well on the same pitch. Also greats like SA batsmen found it difficult to handle so called "Indian trundlers" on the same pitch.

When Vijay, Kohli and tailenders of India were getting hit on their bodies during Indian batting, where were all these posters?

Yet they still lost the series? Funny logic that.

 

[sensible-indian-fan]

Any apologies? Of course not.

Why should there be any apologies?

SA are SUPPOSED to play.

It's like a bare minimum one would expect.

In fact, they have to apologize for walking away today. Not that I am asking for one.

 

[Ozymandiasza]

Why should there be any apologies?

SA are SUPPOSED to play.

It's like a bare minimum one would expect.

In fact, they have to apologize for walking away today. Not that I am asking for one.

You know exactly what I mean. It very easy to call the other team cowards...

 

[cricketjoshila]

The entire discussion here is hilarious. Umpires and the match referee have made a call. South African players have nothing to do with this.

Personally I think the match should continue, but we cannot wait for an unfortunate incident to happen to call off the match. Players safety must be of utmost importance. The umpires and match referee are the best people to take a call.

Where was the call 8 overs earlier?

If Faf deemed the pitch to be dangerous why didnt he walk off while bowling? He wss happy to let his bowlers bowl bouncers at Indian tailenders.

If captains agree to play then the play can continue, thats the law.

 

[cricketjoshila]

Yet they still lost the series? Funny logic that.

Becauze India has been batting 4th.

 

[drrashmin]

When things were suited to them, they were happy but when it did not, started the drama

 

[sensible-indian-fan]

You know exactly what I mean. It very easy to call the other team cowards...

Why should conditional statements rattle any team?

It applies only when conditions are fulfilled.

On a sidenote, what they did today...many would call that a cowardly move though. We can argue right or wrong about it, but it will be perceived that way.

But in general, they won't be called cowards as long as they play tomorrow. But then, who knows what their actual stance was. Law suggests that the pitch must show considerable deterioration from previous innings to be deemed unfit.

 

[wrongun]

And this pitch offers everything, scoring runs here is a mammoth task and kudos to players who performed here.. The pitch made an exciting match and showed viewers how gritty batsmen are.. Was a wonderful spectacle going on between bat and ball, grit vs skill, patience vs luck ..

I agree, I’m away on holiday but have been checking scores and sneaking in the odd session at sports bars. Gripping stuff. Not a great pitch but fine as a once in a year and far more interesting than a road. TEST cricket.

 

[CricketCartoons]

On a sidenote, what they did today...many indian fans would call that a cowardly move though. We can argue right or wrong about it, but it will be perceived that way by indian fans.

Fixed for truth.

 

[Ab Fan]

Knew it that the match would continue.

 

[Ozymandiasza]

Why should conditional statements rattle any team?

It applies only when conditions are fulfilled.

On a sidenote, what they did today...many would call that a cowardly move though. We can argue right or wrong about it, but it will be perceived that way.

But in general, it doesn't apply as long as they play. But then, who knows what their actual stance was. Law suggests that the pitch must show considerable deterioration from previous innings to be deemed unfit.

The problem with your conditional statement is that it's fallacious. It's been a while but I believe it's called 'affirming the consequent'.

 

[Oligochaetes]

India's got quite a mouth on them after being 2-0 down in the series

Finally they have hope to win one..so obviously miffed..if not livid

 

[Ozymandiasza]

Becauze India has been batting 4th.

Yes, it's all the luck of the draw. Suck it up.

 

[Chrish]

I will loose all the respect for team SA if they dared to be coward and call it off tomorrow.

 

[Last Monetarist]

Why should conditional statements rattle any team?

It applies only when conditions are fulfilled.

On a sidenote, what they did today...many would call that a cowardly move though. We can argue right or wrong about it, but it will be perceived that way.

But in general, they won't be called cowards as long as they play tomorrow. But then, who knows what their actual stance was. Law suggests that the pitch must show considerable deterioration from previous innings to be deemed unfit.

No two ways about it, it was plain cowardice.

Batsmen all over the world have become to used to planting their front foot two or three feet out of the crease and hitting through the line. Techniques against the short ball are woeful. They have also forgotten the fact that bowlers are well within their rights to aim at the body and knock their heads off. We saw it in the 2013 Ashes with Mitchell Johnson and we've seen it in this test as well. These guys won't have lasted two minutes batting against the West Indians of old or DK Lillee.

On the other hand, it's conditions such as this where Kohli's aggression comes to the fore and benefits Indian cricket. I know you haven't been a big fan of his captaincy, but as it's not my team, I find his approach is captivating.

 

[big_gamer007]

All of it is true. But think of the players too. Its dangerous for them. These are not normal cricketing conditions. It was just day 3.

If it gets worse then sure call it off I wouldn’t mind but the current condition of pitch is not dangerous enough to call of the match imo.. If it gets worse then I would be first one to call it to be abandoned..

 

[Hasan123]

They are cowards if they don't finish the game. India played on so South Africa sbould do the same.

 

[big_gamer007]

I agree, I’m away on holiday but have been checking scores and sneaking in the odd session at sports bars. Gripping stuff. Not a great pitch but fine as a once in a year and far more interesting than a road. TEST cricket.

Yea man gripping stuff test cricket at its best.. We need more such encounters but unfortunately we get batsmen dominating test matches or one sided test matches most of the times hence the low viewership for test matches..

Let’s hope India- England series would be as gripping as this one..

 

[Abdul]

Cowards.

 

[aniket1911]

There is no way anyone would ask for a pitch like this. What you need to understand is that the pitch will deteriorate further tomorrow. I don’t think the match will go ahead tomorrow.

Oh! South African wanted just this, Just that they didn't expected to be on the receiving end of things.

 

[Sherlock]

If india is on the other side of shoe. All forum will fill with threads about how India chickened out and they are sisies. Whether we win or lose, i want match to complete

Well done for generalising the whole forum and it's users...

 

[Sherlock]

Am I missing something, or has the game been called off?

Quiet an overreaction to pre-empting what may happen.

Also I'm sure the SA players and CSA are reading these comments too

 

[Mr.Q]

What a stupid argument. No match is greater than the safety of players. Match should be called of. Indians should show some sportsmanship and not be whiners ALL THE TIME.

The umpires are at fault too. They should have called off this match earlier.

To indian players, you have lost the series, at least win some respect by showing sportsmanship instead of being serial whiners.

It is the inferiority complex of the indian couch potato fans coming to the fore. Fore years they have had players who were scared of fast pitches. This is a time when their players have faced a touch pitch and in a position to win. So these fans dont want to let go of this opportunity to show their bravado and calling others cowards.

One has to laugh at the irony and the comedy of indian fans calling others cowards.

Same team which had 5 batsmen retire hurt because they were afraid to face west indian bowlers.

Same team which threatened to back their bags and leave a match midway in australia.

Same team which threatened to call of a tour because the match referee punished their players for ball tampering.

The fans which burned stadium when their team were on the verge of losing in a world cup semi final.

Same fans which rioted and had to be evicted from the stadium so that pakistan could continue beating their team in an empty stadium.

I guess it is the pent up frustration and inferiority complex, that after a good batting display in a dead rubber, their false bravado has woken up and they are calling south africans as cowards. Oh the irony.

It is again your inferiority complex speaking..you think the whole world is there to mock you. If you want to know my opinion, I support Bishan Singh Bedi's decision to have the batsmen retired hurt instead of facing west indian pace battery. Cricket is a gentlemans game, it is not a savage sport like boxing. Those who enjoy people being hurt and lives at risk, should quit watching cricket. They don't have the culture to enjoy this game.

no, I am showing the mirror to those fans beating their puny little chests. My own opinion is that laws of the game should be followed, and lives are more important than the entertainment of loser fans.

Dear sir, I apologize on behalf of every member of this forum who wants this test match to continue. We know that you being a Bangladesh fan can give us a million reasons why winning is not at all important. I also heard some rumours that you're writing a book 'Losers are Victors'. Naturally someone talking about winning a test match would confuse and hurt you. Some of my fellow posters said things without thinking about it. Sorry for putting you in a 'tail between the legs' situation. Have a good day!

 

[Usman Chadda]

Disappointed by South Africa today. If India could bat out there, so could South African batsmen. No excuses.

Although, it'll be hilarious if South Africa somehow managed to win this game.

 

[Abdullah]

Cowards can be skilled. Moreover, they could have continued to stay on today. They didn't. It's not like umpires dragged them out.

Anyways, nothing against you brother.

I remember you and Buffet didn't utter a word about Indian pitches. Took it like a champ.

In return, we Indians took the SA pitches like a champ too. Won't you say so?

Yes u did but u got a bit lucky with centurion. Ashwin gt you bowl 31 overs on day 1 when u had 4 87-90 mile an hour bowling options fit and ready. Who would have thought that!!!

 

[coy0607]

these aren't 4th graders that would be scared of being called wimps

its in their advantage to not play here, they are facing defeat

 

[Bilal7]

Too much posturing and chest thumping from some who have probably never even played with a hard ball in their lives. The ICC just released this statement:

"Play on Friday was suspended shortly before the scheduled close because the on-field umpires wanted to consult the match referee regarding the condition of the pitch.”

Yes, South Africas are "cowards" for doing what the umpires are asking them to do. By the same token, Kohli and his Indian team are submissive little sheep because they went off the field as well. They should have been defiant and stayed on and displayed their manliness to the world.

So much drama over 15 minutes of lost play time with two whole days to go.

 

[Monsee]

This is quite a shame if it gets called off , SA is better than this.

I hope pitch conditions are not altered.

For that to happen, match has to be moved to India first

 

[sensible-indian-fan]

No two ways about it, it was plain cowardice.

Batsmen all over the world have become to used to planting their front foot two or three feet out of the crease and hitting through the line. Techniques against the short ball are woeful. They have also forgotten the fact that bowlers are well within their rights to aim at the body and knock their heads off. We saw it in the 2013 Ashes with Mitchell Johnson and we've seen it in this test as well. These guys won't have lasted two minutes batting against the West Indians of old or DK Lillee.

On the other hand, it's conditions such as this where Kohli's aggression comes to the fore and benefits Indian cricket. I know you haven't been a big fan of his captaincy, but as it's not my team, I find his approach is captivating.

I have backed Kohli the test captain for years now.

But sad truth is that he is the single biggest reason India didn't win the test series in SA. I just hope he learnt his lessons from this series.

Still, there is a big job to be done tomorrow.

 

[Sidilicious]

I have backed Kohli the test captain for years now.

But sad truth is that he is the single biggest reason India didn't win the test series in SA. I just hope he learnt his lessons from this series.

Still, there is a big job to be done tomorrow.

I thought he would have learnt his lesson after SL in 2015, and WI in 2016. But he didn't.
As a batsmen, he learns his lessons. I had agreed to your previous comments that his runs aren't as impactful and he needs to score on tough pitches. He has done both this series.

But as a captain, I doubt it. Changing the coach (ie. removing the cheerleader) might help.

 

[indipper]

They will chase 224 tomorrow.

 

[sensible-indian-fan]

I thought he would have learnt his lesson after SL in 2015, and WI in 2016. But he didn't.
As a batsmen, he learns his lessons. I had agreed to your previous comments that his runs aren't as impactful and he needs to score on tough pitches. He has done both this series.

But as a captain, I doubt it. Changing the coach (ie. removing the cheerleader) might help.

Completely agree. I wanted to type that but left it out. He hasn't learnt in the past which is worrisome. The people around him are no good. Just hope he realizes his folly.

As a batsman, he has been very impactful this series. This is an extraordinary performance.

 

[Pete Rose]

So what’s the deal here. Skimming through thr comments, I am not clear on who made the call: it was the umps, right?

 

[Chrish]

Umps discussed the wicket with referee and two captains. Refeee in tern asked two captains. Kohli insisted the game must go on. Faf didn’t say yes or no directly but told referee it’s up to him to decide if the wicket is safe for the players to play.

 

[cricketjoshila]

Yes, it's all the luck of the draw. Suck it up.

So should your team and not do theatrics.

 

[Chrish]

So, the referee can decide if the wicket is unsafe or not. However this decision can be overturned if both captains come into mutual agreement regarding whether to go on or not. This is clearly written in the rules of the game.

So, it will be interesting to see tomorrow if Faf will loose his gallbladder and hide behind the safety reasons to call it off or he would take the responsibility for having India bat twice on this wicket while their tailenders bravely faced the “greatest” SA attack ever assembled and agree to play on to retain some dignity for his team.

 

[Sane.Cricket.Fan]

The SA players are already known as chokers they definitely wouldn't like to be labeled as WIMPS especially on their own backyard.

Don't worry they'll play

 

[Convict]

Man up South Africa.

 

[JustAnotherFan]

Well at this stage rain is going to be a major decider .... doubt if there will be play today. So sensible-indian-fan can change his nickname to angry-indian-fan and crawl back into his hole

 

[Bhaijaan]

Pathetic thread.

If playing conditions are not fine, and all feedback so far suggests they aren't then South African players are well within their rights to opt not to play.

Let's not get carried away by an arrogant and clueless Indian skipper putting the safety of his teammates on the line just to give himself an opportunity of a face saving win. His counterpart cannot be pressurized to showcase the same level of desperation.

 

[Madplayer]

If it gets worse then sure call it off I wouldn’t mind but the current condition of pitch is not dangerous enough to call of the match imo.. If it gets worse then I would be first one to call it to be abandoned..

It should have been called off when Indians were batting. But i agree with you. Unless it gets worse, it shouldnt be called off. Its plain unfair to Indians. Even Indians should have complained when they were batting to be honest. But they chose to carry on.

 

[JustAnotherFan]

Still raining Indian tears ... suck it up!

 

[MenInG]

Could be an epic SA fightback today!

 

[Last Monetarist]

I have backed Kohli the test captain for years now.

But sad truth is that he is the single biggest reason India didn't win the test series in SA. I just hope he learnt his lessons from this series.

Still, there is a big job to be done tomorrow.

I agree the aggression is overdone, but I liken him to Michael Clarke or Brendon McCullum, you win more matches than you lose that way. The real problem here, as it is on most modern tours, was the lack of preparation and acclimatization for the series. Three weeks in South Africa and you can see that the Indian batsmen are more comfortable against pace than the locals, simply because the Indian batsmen have more ability than the rest. The BCCI should have forced the team to go to SA after the end of the SL test series and played a second string team led by Dhoni for the limited overs matches.

 

[sensible-indian-fan]

I agree the aggression is overdone, but I liken him to Michael Clarke or Brendon McCullum, you win more matches than you lose that way. The real problem here, as it is on most modern tours, was the lack of preparation and acclimatization for the series. Three weeks in South Africa and you can see that the Indian batsmen are more comfortable against pace than the locals, simply because the Indian batsmen have more ability than the rest. The BCCI should have forced the team to go to SA after the end of the SL test series and played a second string team led by Dhoni for the limited overs matches.

Clarke and Bmac wouldn't have selected the team he did.

 

[Last Monetarist]

Clarke and Bmac wouldn't have selected the team he did.

Dunno about McCullum but Clarke was occasionally construed to indulge in picking his mates.

 

[RainMan_]

South Africans have taken the pitch doctoring to a while new level. Lol. Can't believe they r crying about their own pitch

 

[Hermoine Green]

That's horrible. SA not playing on wet outfield
Home team advantage. ICC should look into it and should award victory to India who fought back brilliantly.

rcasm:

 

[Hermoine Green]

Still raining Indian tears ... suck it up!

South Africa team fault

 

[lehen]

How much has the pitch been rolled? The swing is completely gone, the bounce is at its most even in 3 days and almost behaving like a road and the most batting friendly in the entire series!
looks like Sa will chase it down before Tea

 

[big_gamer007]

Well was good while it lasted, great tactics by FaF to not play yesterday when the conditions were favouring bowlers heavily. Now conditions seem to be a bit friendlier towards batsmen..

I think it’s excellent captaincy whatever anyone else may say credit where credit is due..