SA tour of India, Sept 15 - Oct 23

[Arthur Crabtree]

SA with a three spin attack. That can't happen often.

No wrist spin though.

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4 and that's 103 for Iindia for no loss of wicket. This opening partnership needs to convert this into a mammoth partnership Hope they carry on this partnership beyond 200 runs.

[Arthur Crabtree]

Looking at SA's batting they need to make inroads with the bowling.

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Six . 50 for Mayank as well.

[Arthur Crabtree]

Is this India's first choice opening pair now or is it that others (Rahul, VJ, Dhawan, Shaw) are injured?

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Rabada back into attack.

South African spinners have not been impressive. Haven't seen them bowl less than 80 kph. Which also means they have not flighted the ball. Less turn as well.

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Is this India's first choice opening pair now or is it that others (Rahul, VJ, Dhawan, Shaw) are injured?

Rahul has failed to impress. His average is below 35 which is not acceptable after having played 36 tests. Rohit Sharma with slightly better average was always classified as test failure.

Prithvi is under ban for consuming some medicine for cough releief which has banned substance. In July 2019 he was banned for 8 months.

Shikhar Dhawan was totally flop like Rahul in the overseas tours and got dropped.


Mayank Agarwal was the only successful opener abroad in Australia when Shikhar and Rahul had a bad time away from India. So he and Prithvi Shaw will be the first choice imo. I douby Rohit will survive the tour to NZ as opener. I feel after the tour to NZ Rohit will make way for Prithvi Sharma in test format.

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Good pull shot by Rohit to a short pitched ball by Rabada. Takes Rohit to 76.

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India are in a position to make SA bowl 150+ overs this innings. Win the toss, post a huge total and then let spinners do their job on Day 4 and 5. The script might repeat here this test.

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Down the ground and hit past Dane for 4. Mayank has played spinners exceptionally well today. Even he was the best player against Nathan Lyon when Lyon was causing problems for other Indian batsmen

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150/0 in 48 overs.

This new opening pair has made most use of the conditions.

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Down the ground and Rohit hits a six over long on. That was awesome. Clean hit.

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And one more six next ball. Dane leaking runs. The two sixers take Rohit onto 93.

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The lack of spin isn't helping South Africa. Keshav Maharaj finally reducing the pace on the ball. Bowling below 83 kph this over mostly.

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Single takes Rohit to a 100. His first test ton as opener .