India, SA left wondering at Wanderers

Well replay this-Venue -New Wanderers Stadium, Johannesburg, First test India Vs South Africa. Target 458, South Africa-442 for 6, just 16 runs from 26 balls to get for record chase win . With no.4 batsman F du Plessis-well set on 134.Indian fielders` heads already started dropping from the thought of certain defeat. And then suddenly from nowhere Ajinkya Rahane`s direct throw from mid off runs out full length diving Faf- F du Plessis. India gets a breather. Real turning point for the match. Surprisingly tail-enders` Philander and Steyn plays it out coolly without any real attempt to go for a historic win. Dale Steyn hits a six off Mohammed Shami on the last ball of the match. Failed short by just 8 runs. South Africa so near yet so far. Crowd boos the outgoing batting pair. Real fight between number one and two test teams at bullring ends on level terms. The epic, greatest drawn test as it is being termed everywhere now. Both teams left wondering what went wrong, which eluded the hard earned victory. Both have to settle in consolation calling it as a win for Test Cricket. Surely it was test cricket at its best for five days. With India not only dominating for first four days but were happily in safe position with set target of 458 runs if not in the winning one. On last day hosts required 320 runs and India 8 wickets. India hoping to wrap up the test with hope that hosts bundled out for paltry 244 in the first innings. But do not forget that number one test team had just three Test match losses in nearly four years. What Cheteshwar Pujara and Virat Kohli had done on fourth day for India with 222 runs partnership for third wicket on fourth day, AB de Villiers and F du Plessis replicated it for South Africa for fifth wicket on fourth day with 205 runs, turning the match on its head. From 197 for 4 to 402 for 5, Indian bowlers went wicket less for more than 60 overs. F du Plessis battled for 6.5 hours, but for that Ajinkya Rahane`s alertness, host almost had the match in their kitty. Ajinkya true to his name ensured his team remained `Ajinkya`-undefeated.

Lots of positive signs from India`s point of view. So the first test post Sachin era had very pleasing and satisfied performances from new and emerging batting order to start with. Who would have imagined Indian batsmen would give such a torrid time to world no. 1 fast bowler Dale Steyn, who went wicket less with conceding 104 runs in second innings, a rarity, only second time in his 68 matches’ career. Virat Kohli missed just by 4 runs to register centuries in both innings. India`s new run machine Cheteshwar Pujara made amends to his first innings unfortunate run out by a superb 153 in second innings. Opener Murali Vijay negotiated new ball well in second innings with 39 runs and more importantly 2.5 hours stay at the crease. Ajinkya Rahane showed great promise scoring 47 in the first innings, with 3 hours batting. And yes fitter Zack is back. Fast bowling spearhead, mentor to new generation, bowled well and reached personal mile stone of 300 test wickets. The 35 year old from Shrirampur, Maharashtra become only second fast bowler to achieve the feat after Kapil Dev. India would love to continue with him at least for a couple of more seasons or even up to the world cup of 2015. Ishant Sharma came back to his elements with four very important first innings wickets. Mohammed Shami is improving leaps and bound with every outing with 6 match wickets. R Ashwin had a forgettable match, went wicket less for 42 overs in the match. Shikhar Dhawan, Rohit Sharma are also due for their contribution with the bat. Indians need to be consistent with this splendid show. All in all cricket lovers are expecting an exciting tussle, another battle royale at Durban for the second (alas last of the series..!) December 26 - 30. Let`s look forward for a grand year end cricketing feast. Merry Christmas and Happy New Year.

-  -for Gavakari`s The Day View, Nashik.

ODI Champs to face S.Africa

Indian team on a South African safari to play 3 ODIs and 2 Test matches. Three ODIs series is to start from Thursday 5^th December. The tour got shortened due to BCCI`s stand against Harron Lorgat CEO-Cricket South Africa. Nevertheless BCCI encashed the opportunity by fitting in West Indies, as Sachin Tendulkar farewell series, at home. So it`s emerging young Indian currently dominating batting guns of Shikhar Dhawan, Rohit Sharma, Virat Kohli against experienced dangerous Steyn, Morkel and Jacque Kallis. Fairly experienced Suresh Raina is very much a susceptible member when it comes to facing a short pitched fast bowling .M S Dhoni is happy to start tour with ODIS, as this would allow inexperienced test matches batting line up, to get used to South African conditions. Also with Zaheer Khan sent in early as a bowling coach, Mohammed Shami, Bhuvneshwar Kumar and Umesh Yadav would try to settle down before two tests. Team India batsmen would be severely tested on bouncy and livelier South African pitches, against very penetrative bowling attack. Similarly inexperienced Indian pace bowlers would get a better idea of required line n length to bowl on these bowler friendly pitches. With Hashim Amla, JP Duminy, AB de Villiers backed up by veteran Jacque Kallis hosts have got a very good experienced, proven batting line up. And now they are looking for the opportunity to salvage pride due to 1-2 loss in just concluded series against Pakistan. On the other hand Indians are very much eager to prove that they are tigers not only at home, but can demonstrate their skills on foreign soil also.

M S Dhoni

AB de Villiers

The Bullring-Wanderer`s Cricket Ground, Johannesburg.

The venue for first ODI is Wanderer`s Cricket Ground, Johannesburg, very well known as the Bullring. The multistoried stands construction is known to give nervous time for the players playing for the first time, with its intimidating atmosphere. South Africans fans are not happy due to curtailed tour and so Team India is likely to face some kind of irk, from the home crowd. Indian Captain tried to lighten the atmosphere in his press conference  when asked   `` What would you do if someone threw something onto the field? `` By replying, ``  Well, we will pick up and give it back. That`s what we can do. `` Then adding that Indian team has been provided a big security guy to handle such situations. On the outset Dhoni is maintaining a very confident face, in spite of absence of any practice game, like the earlier days. Let’s hope an exciting contest to start with first ODI, at 17.00 hrs Indian Standard Time.

ODI, Schedule:

·         December 5 - 1st ODI, Johannesburg, 17:00 IST.

·         December 8 - 2nd ODI, Durban, 13:30 IST.

·         December 11 - 3rd ODI, Centurion, 17:00 IST.

-      -  for Gavakari`s The Day View, Nashik.