South Africa v India tests - Jan 2018

[meninblue]

I wouldn't be too downhearted if I was an Indian fan

Think this current crop of quick bowlers is by far the best you have ever had and took 20 wickets

You really needed a warm up game or two, batsmen don't have much chance going from Asia to facing rabada, philander, morkel and Steyn on a helpful wicket in South Africa

Agree. This is the best pace attack we have.

The only issue with Shami is that he is usually having some niggle, and although he took wickets the rhythm is missing somewhat. Still he got good number of wickets this test. His speed has dropped since his comeback from injury but still bowling 137+. Previously he hit 145 frequently.

Bhuvi has been impeccable with line and length, moreover he has managed to maintain it even after he increased his pace slightly. Which is an improvement.

Jasprit needs to sort his line and length, his pace is very good.

Havent watched Ishant recently, so no comments on that.

Hardik has bowled with pace, and he has improved his line considerably. When he first came , he was bowling the 4 ball far too often, mostly deviating to the leg stump line. The good thing is that he has a very good pace for a backup bowler or as non-specialist pacer.


Not playing practice match was over confidence. It was a blunder.


Personally i feel, this was bound to happen and it has happened. I do expect that we will get less bowler friendly bowling wickets as compared to this in next two tests. Also, our batters may by now are slightly better adapted to the conditions. So there will be an improvement in batting performance. Someone from BCCI or an Indian fan needs to tweet that this 3 day match is loss of revenue and so there is no point in preparing such a bowler friendly wicket That will help, certainly.

[meninblue]

Ashwin now second highest scorer in this innings. He's played some good shots and deserved the runs he is scoring.

[meninblue]

4 more to Ash.

[backfootpunch]

I wouldn't be too downhearted if I was an Indian fan

Think this current crop of quick bowlers is by far the best you have ever had and took 20 wickets

You really needed a warm up game or two, batsmen don't have much chance going from Asia to facing rabada, philander, morkel and Steyn on a helpful wicket in South Africa

Agree. This is the best pace attack we have.

The only issue with Shami is that he is usually having some niggle, and although he took wickets the rhythm is missing somewhat. Still he got good number of wickets this test. His speed has dropped since his comeback from injury but still bowling 137+. Previously he hit 145 frequently.

Bhuvi has been impeccable with line and length, moreover he has managed to maintain it even after he increased his pace slightly. Which is an improvement.

Jasprit needs to sort his line and length, his pace is very good.

Havent watched Ishant recently, so no comments on that.

Hardik has bowled with pace, and he has improved his line considerably. When he first came , he was bowling the 4 ball far too often, mostly deviating to the leg stump line. The good thing is that he has a very good pace for a backup bowler or as non-specialist pacer.


Not playing practice match was over confidence. It was a blunder.


Personally i feel, this was bound to happen and it has happened. I do expect that we will get less bowler friendly bowling wickets as compared to this in next two tests. Also, our batters may by now are slightly better adapted to the conditions. So there will be an improvement in batting performance. Someone from BCCI or an Indian fan needs to tweet that this 3 day match is loss of revenue and so there is no point in preparing such a bowler friendly wicket That will help, certainly.

I think you have more chance of winning on a wicket like this

Rabada, morkel and philander will be threatening on any wicket that isn't a complete road

Bhuvi, shami and bumrah are good but they aren't as good as those guys and will need more help from the conditions to get people like amla, faf and de villiers out cheaply

[meninblue]

4 more to Ash. This was not as controlled but still important confidence giver runs for next test when he comes out to bat.

[backfootpunch]

Ashwin now second highest scorer in this innings. He's played some good shots and deserved the runs he is scoring.

Another 20 or 30 from these two and it gets interesting again

[meninblue]

I wouldn't be too downhearted if I was an Indian fan

Think this current crop of quick bowlers is by far the best you have ever had and took 20 wickets

You really needed a warm up game or two, batsmen don't have much chance going from Asia to facing rabada, philander, morkel and Steyn on a helpful wicket in South Africa

Agree. This is the best pace attack we have.

The only issue with Shami is that he is usually having some niggle, and although he took wickets the rhythm is missing somewhat. Still he got good number of wickets this test. His speed has dropped since his comeback from injury but still bowling 137+. Previously he hit 145 frequently.

Bhuvi has been impeccable with line and length, moreover he has managed to maintain it even after he increased his pace slightly. Which is an improvement.

Jasprit needs to sort his line and length, his pace is very good.

Havent watched Ishant recently, so no comments on that.

Hardik has bowled with pace, and he has improved his line considerably. When he first came , he was bowling the 4 ball far too often, mostly deviating to the leg stump line. The good thing is that he has a very good pace for a backup bowler or as non-specialist pacer.


Not playing practice match was over confidence. It was a blunder.


Personally i feel, this was bound to happen and it has happened. I do expect that we will get less bowler friendly bowling wickets as compared to this in next two tests. Also, our batters may by now are slightly better adapted to the conditions. So there will be an improvement in batting performance. Someone from BCCI or an Indian fan needs to tweet that this 3 day match is loss of revenue and so there is no point in preparing such a bowler friendly wicket That will help, certainly.

I think you have more chance of winning on a wicket like this

Rabada, morkel and philander will be threatening on any wicket that isn't a complete road

Bhuvi, shami and bumrah are good but they aren't as good as those guys and will need more help from the conditions to get people like amla, faf and de villiers out cheaply

Steyn, Rabada , Morkel and Philander are better than our 4 pace bowlers at this point of time. There is no doubt about it. But what i am glad is the improvement we have made at administrative levels in domestic cricket to coaching camps, infrastructure setup for pace academies, work done by coaches. We have actually converted our below par pace bowling level to higher level of variety, better pace and count of pace bowlers available in country. Like before it is no more our weakness. So these bowlers imo will do better than our previous lot on slightly less bowler friendly wickets as well. Our batting will not work on such wickets, they will need better conditions. Even with 3 pace bowlers they are winning this test easily. So them having 4 pace bowlers on bowler friendly wickets will be a big NO imo.

[meninblue]

4 more to Ash. 31* to him. Highest scorer in this innings.

[meninblue]

Maharaj is making Ashwin play on all deliveries, however Ashwin has played all balls middle of the bat. No fuss at all tackling him this over.

[meninblue]

Bhuvi has also managed to play 37 balls thus far. Looks good that at least the tail is keen to take match practice rather than just tonking and go back to pavilion. All this batting practice for tailenders overseas will help later in this series or for next tours overseas. They are trying to make the most of what they can. Good to see.

[Dr Cricket]

Another 30 Runs and sa will be nervous.

[Dr Cricket]

crazy part is that bhuvi could be facing the most balls in the match,
He faced 127 balls, De Villiers 135 odd.

[mikesiva]

Ashwin out for a courageous 37. Philander gets his fourth wicket!

[meninblue]

Well played by Ashwin. Looked good while he lasted.

135 .

6 fer for Philly. Career best haul for him. 9 in the match so far for just 75 runs.

South Africa have outplayed in batting, bowling and fielding departments. Well deserved winners.

[mikesiva]

Philander 6-42! The man is a wicket taking machine!