This Test
was a historic one. Many records were broken in this match. The most
significant record was the one which broke South Africa’s 9-year unbeaten
streak on away tours, the highest after Australia’s 15-year streak. This test
got over in just three days, which meant low-scoring encounters.
First off,
it was a dismal performance on the part of South Africa. They registered on of
their lowest scores ever when Ashwin and Co. bowled them out for 79. What an
extra-ordinary Test this was! The first innings of the Indians who batted first
ended at 215. Then, at stumps, South Africa was 11/2. On the second day, South
Africa was bowled out for 79. Thereafter, India’s second innings ended at 173
on the same day. Then, at stumps, South Africa was at 29/2 with a target of 310
and three days of play left.
South
Africa, though avoided further damage and humiliation by putting up some
resistance. But, alas, they were bowled out for 185 and India comfortably won
the match as well as the series.
Coming to
India’s performance, I was disappointed bigtime by the Indian batting. Though
their batting was far better than that of the South Africans and the highest
individual score of the match, a knock of 40 came from India in the form of
Murali Vijay. But, they more than made
up for it by restricting the Proteas to negligible scores. Ashwin was
the chief perpetrator on an assistive wicket, capturing 12 wickets to take his
tally of this series to 24. Ashwin could break his personal tally from a four
match- Test match series; the best being 29 during India’s 4-0 thrashing of
Australia at home in 2013. And going by the way Ashwin is bowling right now
combined with the mighty unpredictable pitch at the Ferozshah Kotla, a fifer
shouldn’t be a problem.
I think
what Indian captain Virat Kohli said about the third day sums up the match
perfectly. He said that on the third day, there was a team which was trying to
stay alive in the match while the other was trying to win it.
This Test
was special for me in a different way as it was played at my home town and it
was the first time in the last three encounters at Nagpur against South Africa
that India has won a match.
I hope that
India wins the fourth Test too and manages a whitewash of the Proteas. This
would also mean a change in the ICC rankings. So, hope for the best and play
on!!
