Glory at the Orange City

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!!