India lost the second Test match at Ahmedabad by an innings & 90 runs inside three days. South Africa leads this Test series 1-0 and set to win their second Test series in India.
SCORECARD: India vs South Africa, II Test, Ahmedabad, 2008
SPINELESS BATTING IN FIRST INNINGS
The spineless batting performance in the first innings has lead to this debacle. It is difficult to come back into the game once you are bowled out within one session. A team batting first must bat atleast four sessions to post a good score. The result of this Test match was decided in the first session of first day’s play itself. The Indian team needed 2001 Kolkatta miracle to be repeated in their second innings to come back into this game. Unfortunately that was not the case.
PROFESSIONAL DISPLAY BY PROTEAS
The approach of South Africans from the day they have arrived in India is very professional. Their planning and preparation was very meticulous. Their application was faultless. Kallis came up with yet another century. AB De Villiers scored his maiden double ton. They posted a big total that ensured that India’s chances are dead and buried.
BE POSITIVE
It is not end of the road for the Indian team. They can bounce back in the last Test match and square this series. First ensure that all players are match-fit and team balance is right. The batsmen need to be positive and apply themselves. Building regular partnerships has been the strength of India’s recent success and they must follow that principle. Just forget this Test match as a bad dream!
The team needs four fit and wicket-taking bowlers and that is enough. Pathan is a great talent but he has not recovered his bowling form to play in a Test cricket. He is good with new ball on a fresh pitch. But the team needs one who uses both the new & old ball effectively. Ironically Indian pacers are struggling to get wickets with the new ball in this series. Munaf Patel is my choice but his fitness is suspicious. It is a gamble worth to be taken. I hope India’s planning and preparation for next Test match is spot on.
SCORECARD: India vs South Africa, II Test, Ahmedabad, 2008
SPINELESS BATTING IN FIRST INNINGS
The spineless batting performance in the first innings has lead to this debacle. It is difficult to come back into the game once you are bowled out within one session. A team batting first must bat atleast four sessions to post a good score. The result of this Test match was decided in the first session of first day’s play itself. The Indian team needed 2001 Kolkatta miracle to be repeated in their second innings to come back into this game. Unfortunately that was not the case.
PROFESSIONAL DISPLAY BY PROTEAS
The approach of South Africans from the day they have arrived in India is very professional. Their planning and preparation was very meticulous. Their application was faultless. Kallis came up with yet another century. AB De Villiers scored his maiden double ton. They posted a big total that ensured that India’s chances are dead and buried.
BE POSITIVE
It is not end of the road for the Indian team. They can bounce back in the last Test match and square this series. First ensure that all players are match-fit and team balance is right. The batsmen need to be positive and apply themselves. Building regular partnerships has been the strength of India’s recent success and they must follow that principle. Just forget this Test match as a bad dream!
The team needs four fit and wicket-taking bowlers and that is enough. Pathan is a great talent but he has not recovered his bowling form to play in a Test cricket. He is good with new ball on a fresh pitch. But the team needs one who uses both the new & old ball effectively. Ironically Indian pacers are struggling to get wickets with the new ball in this series. Munaf Patel is my choice but his fitness is suspicious. It is a gamble worth to be taken. I hope India’s planning and preparation for next Test match is spot on.
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