South Africa hope Delhi test will last more than three days

“It is very pleasing to defeat South Africa, especially since they won both the Twenty20 and one-day series earlier”. It (Nagpur) was a Test match that was moving all the time.

If India beat South Africa in Delhi, they will leapfrog to number 2 (from no. 6 before the series started) in the ICC Test rankings: a quite remarkable feat.

“Compare this Test to the Test match in Perth”. Our batsmen showed character in three innings. We are trying to throw balls like he bowls. “You go and sit for the last two days there”, said Shastri to ESPNcricinfo, seemingly in a mood to lambast the Australians.

The likes of Dean Elgar, Stiaan van Zyl and Faf du Plessis, who are all on their first tour of India, have fared little better. Looking at some of the pitches provided for the Ranji Trophy matches, the Indian board, too, should consider a move similar to that of European Central Bank to punish the erring state associations who either roll out what the Mumbaites call “pata” pitches for their sides to raise scores upwards of 500 or just peg stumps anywhere out in the middle where the pitch can not be differentiated from the outfield or on a parched barren area for bowlers to run through the sides. While these stats are surely thrilling for the home fans and the fact that the visitors were completely bamboozled by spin would only add to India’s glory, it also raises questions on India’s desperation to win the series. Batsmen had to contend with variable turn, variable pace and variable bounce even on the first day of the game.

On a pitch that turned batting into a lottery, South Africa failed to buy their ticket. This one looks like to go on for more than three days. At Nagpur, spinners assumed ascendancy virtually from the first hour itself and till the end of the match. The match ended in just three days and a whopping 20 wickets fell on the first day of play. In that sense, this Test lacked battle of skills, thrill and uncertainty that makes for a great cricket match.

He endorsed the views of captain Virat Kohli and R Ashwin who had said India never complained about conditions overseas, while also hitting out at those criticising Indian pitches, which he thought were unfairly targetted. There is so much national pride, personal ego and financial reward attached in sport now that every player/team looks for a “home” advantage. “He led it, and we followed his cue, of preparing what you will face in a match”, said Birrell. Credit to India, they kind of bowled well. Where does it tell me in the rulebook it can only swing and seam?

What was most impressive about this Indian set-up was that they were on the mark in the third Test from day one, where many felt India would have suffered a break in momentum after winning at Mohali. The ball spun appreciably from lunch on day one, and the bounce was variable.