India bats first against South Africa in 3rd test
But South Africa knew it and surely would have prepared for the same.
The hosts have taken a crucial 136-run first innings lead as South Africa posted their lowest total against India in Test cricket.
Shikhar Dhawan top scored for India with a 78-ball 39 to help the hosts set South Africa a target of 310. It also exposed South Africa’s tactics.
Dhawan and Vijay put on 50 for the first wicket before South Africa hit back to remove both batsmen in the space of 19 runs. Australia were bowled out for 93 during the 2004 Test in Mumbai, which India won by 13 runs. India’s lead had swelled to 238 by this time but it was not the start of South Africa’s problems. However, Ashwin is bowling in his 15th innings, while Broad has taken 25 innings for his 51 wickets.
Amla: “We would’ve liked to have batted first as well”. When Ashwin finally switched from offies to a quicker, straight one outside off, Elgar went for a half-hearted cut with feet going nowhere. The ball was pitched on middle stump and it turned to rattle the off-stump. Jadeja dragged a delivery by Rabada onto his stumps as South Africa finally broke the stubborn seventh-wicket stand. – AFP.
It was the ideal scenario for Ashwin and Ravindra Jadeja to revel.
DARYLL CULLINAN, former Proteas Test batsman, has questioned why AB de Villiers bats down at number five in the South African Test line-up. He was surprised by the extra bounce and turn that Jadeja procured and spooned it back while trying to work it against the turn. Both the batsmen fell in the second hour of play.
Amla, who scored 43, 0 and seven in the three previous innings, managed just a single run this time before walking off even before the umpire gave him out.
Du Plessis looked in good knock during his short stay at the crease before being bowled by Jadeja while trying to hit one over mid-on. To his misfortune, it didn’t and the stumps were rattled again. All this is evidence enough to say that Ashwin’s magical fingers are doing the trick but then there’s a curious case of SA’s rookie spinner – Simon Harmer.
South Africa also strengthened their spin attack, including Harmer in place of seamer Kyle Abbott.
All through this, Duminy stood out simply because he was skilful with his feet.
All things considered, Ashwin still has a terrific record at home and no matter how good the track is for him, there is still a small matter of execution and for that he needs to be given due credit.
“Hopefully, the runs are still to come”.
Bangar had this to offer when asked if the Indian batsmen were caught by Morne Morkel’s reverse swing.
What the pitch had taken out of the equation was the tall scores and hundreds that people were now used to, but the scorecard was a true reflection of what was happening. “I would have definitely liked to have got more runs in the one-dayers, as well as the Test matches so far”.