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.
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