The world’s top-ranked Test team were beaten inside three days in Mohali and Nagpur while India also dominated what little play was possible in the rain-ruined match in Bangalore.
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“I think the pitches have been discussed too much”.
Asked about the Kotla track, Kohli sounded livid. This is, however, the first meeting between the sides at this venue.
Mishra feels that it is the technique of the South African batsmen, rather the lack of it, against spinning deliveries that did them in.
India are looking at the match as a chance of enforcing “ruthlessness”. The penalty for a pitch that is called poor for the first time, as is the case for Nagpur, can range from a warning and/or a fine of $15,000 with a directive to institute corrective measures. “KG (Rabada) has played all the games. Dale is not playing in this game”, South Africa captain Hashim Amla told reporters on Wednesday. AB devillers is the only one who lonely troubled team India in One day and T-20 series when Ashwin was injured and not able to play.
The visitors will also have to do without the services of talented fast bowler Vernon Philander, who sustained an ankle injury during a practice session ahead of the second Test in Bengaluru to be ruled out of the remainder of the series. The South Africans haven’t criticised the track but it did receive considerable flak from the cricketing community.
Shastri refused to accept criticism of inconsistent bounce in the pitch at Nagpur from the first day. We will not be glad with two-nil. We might not have won overseas series in the last few years, but slowly and steadily, the batsmen have cranked their performances up by several notches against world class seamers. It’s very important for us to go at least 2-1, salvage some pride from the series.
Considering fans’ dwindling interests in the traditional format, at one point, we argue that nobody has the time to watch a five-day Test. And then, when Indian spinners bundle out an opponent twice inside three days, instead of lauding their herculean efforts, it’s sad to see the fraternity blame result-oriented pitches. “Look it is beyond India. I can not understand the logic”, Kohli lamented. Save Murali Vijay, Indian batsmen have looked rusty throughout the Test series.
Together they will consider the same and make a decision as to whether the pitch and/or outfield was Substandard or not.
He further adds that in batting as in life itself, defence is paramount.
As the 72-day long tour comes to a close, South Africa would like go back home with a parting gift.
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Riding on his stupendous performance in the ongoing home series against South Africa, Indian off-spinner Ravichandran Ashwin today rose to a career-high second in the ICC Test rankings for bowlers even as A B de Villiers lost his top spot in the batsmen standings.
