Team India debacle, in South Africa - # SAv IND

Team India debacle, in South Africa

- What went wrong?

Let`s see few things, those went wrong for Team India, in the recently concluded test series.  How and why ICC ranked world no 1, team was defeated by no.6 team 2-1.

India`s batting either opening partnership or experienced middle order and even allrounder and lower order. Very inconsistent and fragile. To start with openers KL Rahul and Mayank , apart from  one century stand on opening day , the pair failed to cross half century mark even once in next five innings. Middle order of Virat, Pujara and Rahane failed to deliver even collectively. Pujara and Rahane scored just one half century in second test and Virat in the third. This all resulted in crossing 300 in just one out of six innings.  And we were under the impression that India is having a world class batting order. Moreover barring last innings century Pant didn’t contribute much. R Ashwin and Shardul Thakur failed to justify the tag of all rounder even jointly if not individually. Recently R Jadeja was contributing nicely with the bat. India missed him in this regard at least. On the other hand hosts found a gem in Keegan Petersen, who was just 2 tests old.  Captain Dean Elgar batted defiantly. Though not registered very big scores but Bavuma and Rassi Dussen chipped in at important moments with small very useful partnerships. This ensured the sudden loss of experienced Quinton De cock, who retired after first test, was taken care of by the home team. KL Rahul and Pant averaged 37 as highest for Indians, whereas Dean Elgar and Keegan Petersen scored at averages 47 and 46, respectively. Rahane 22, Pujara and Mayank 20.

In bowling department also Bumrah, Shami and company failed to come to terms. Bumrah had just one wicket to show in entire second test. Considering how effective their South African counterparts were; Rabada, Debutant Jansen and Ngidi. These SA pace bowlers adjusted line and length immediately after the first innings experience of Indian batters and took 60 wickets in three tests, whereas India managed only 47. How can one say this is one of the best attacks in the world? R Ashwin failed miserably in this, his prime department too, especially in fourth innings of the match. Siraj`s injury during early stage of second test did not helped either.  Shami claimed 14 whereas Shardul Thakur and Bumrah took 12 wickets each, while Rabada 20 , Jansen 19 and Ngidi claimed 15 wickets. Way ahead.

So these were some genuine reasons for series favorite India`s defeat by underdog South Africa.

DRS controversy on 3^rd day of the last test match, hardly played any role in this; rather it shifted focus of Indian players for some invaluable time, resulting in the match to slip further.

Let`s agree that host South Africa bettered India, in every department of the game, after 1^st innings of the series. Guests failed to play to their potential. On the other hand Elgar and team were far more focused and inexperienced players were hungrier to prove their worth.

 India probably became bit complacent after 1^st test win and last minute loss of captain Virat at the start of second test also played its role. Though there were few issues, beyond cricket field between BCCI and Virat. The team which played better cricket , seized the opportunities,  was far more focused won the series. Hosts stayed in the fight longer, applied pressure for longer and absorbed pressure for longer, in the end probably this difference mattered. Which ultimately made India wait for it`s first test series win - final frontier remains strong, challenging and intact.

- Vivek Ketkar