South Africa is going through a phase where their condition is somewhat like the South Africa team of the 2000s. There is no doubt that the current South African team is fighting for its existence. There was a time when batsmen like Graeme Smith to Hashim Amla and Jacques Kallis had the ability to win matches single-handedly.
Even if we ignore the current match, the condition of South Africa in the cricket of the last few years has completely ended. At present, there will hardly be any batsman who keeps South Africa alive. The host needs a leadership that teaches him to fight against all odds against top-notch teams.
The team led by Graeme Smith not only defeated the opposition but also intimidated them with their horror, something like the host’s era after 2000. From a exquisite upper-order batting line-up to the fast bowlers, the Army South had everything.
If this continues, then surely a lot of questions will arise on the policies of the host after this series. In a rain-interrupted match, the hosts get blown away. This definitely gives some indication of the upcoming matches. Indian cricket has been going through a period of turmoil in the recent times. Losing the first Test Championship and being out of the first round due to poor performance in the T20 World was a sign that Virat Kohli has gone through his best phase.
India started the series without Rohit Sharma and there were signs of defeat on the tour. Till now the Indian team has not won any series in the host’s stronghold and due to the captaincy ruckus, there was not much hope from India. The absence of Rohit Sharma and Gill used to disturb the balance of the team. Priyank Panchal’s place in the team was definitely a good news as Rahul was yet to prove it with his batting. In the midst of all this, Rahul gets a chance with Mayank Agarwal to get the team out of trouble with the start.
The host definitely has a better bowling attack but a bowler of the rank of Dale Steyn or Allan Donald, it will take time, who will he be? Batting on the pitch which is called the host’s fort. Indian opener Rahul scored the seventh century of his career and laid the foundation of victory on the very first day. The bowlers of the opposition have completely failed except for the Rabada who picked up 3 wickets on day 1. The second day turned out to be bad due to rain and the game had to be stopped from time to time and in the end the whole day was ruined. The third day’s play brought excitement to the match when the Indian team got out early. India lost the last 7 wickets in just 55 runs and were all out for 327 runs. In response, the host could not do much and could only score 197 runs in the first innings.
In the fourth innings, the host got a target of 305 runs, chasing which the team was bundled out for just 191 runs. Dean Elgar and Temba Bavuma’s belligerent innings kept the courage going to some extent but without any further ability, the team succumbed.
