Mayank Agarwal scored a brilliant maiden test double-century as India strengthened their hold on the Proteas at the end of Day 2 of the opening Test in Vizag on Thursday. Agarwal and Rohit Sharma put on 317 for the first wicket- the third highest ever for India in their history, and the hosts’ spinners reduced South Africa to 39/3 to leave the visitors with an uphill task to save the test. Continue reading “India vs South Africa Day 2 Match Report 1st Test Visakhapatnam 2019”
Month: October 2019
Talking Points- India vs South Africa First Test Day 1 October 1 2019 Visakhapatnam
Rohit Sharma scored a masterful 115 in his maiden test innings as opener as India dominated Day 1 of the first test at Visakhapatnam. The hosts were at a commanding 202/0 before rain forced early stumps in the eastern coastal city.
Here are our talking points from the day’s proceedings.
A dream start for Rohit Sharma as test opener
India’s decision to open with Sharma was a hugely debated one in the lead up to this series. Many fans felt that the Men in Blue would’ve been better off blooding a younger opener, especially in light of the tough tour of New Zealand early next year.
Sharma is known for his weakness against the moving ball in the longest format of the game, and hadn’t exactly helped his cause with a two ball duck in the warm up game against the Proteas.
Today, he survived a probing opening spell from Vernon Philander and Kagiso Rabada, with the former in particular causing him all sorts of trouble. To his credit, Sharma survived, and then cashed in against the spinners. Indian skipper Virat Kohli had said that they were looking for a Sehwag-like impact from Sharma and the Mumbai Indians star certainly delivered on that front today, with 5 sixes and 12 fours in his unbeaten 115.
This is the first double century stand against South Africa in over a decade- the last pair to do so were Sehwag and Wasim Jaffer back in 2008.
South Africa’s decision to play 3 spinners backfires
Somewhat surprisingly, South Africa opted to play three spinners and gave young Dolphin’s all-rounder Senuran Muthusamy his debut. India on the other hand, opted to go in with only two spinners- Ravichandran Ashwin and Ravi Jadeja.
Between them, Muthusamy and Dane Piedt bowled only 12 of South Africa’s 59 overs and conceded 66 runs. They not only failed to pick up any wickets but were also unsuccessful in stemming the flow of runs. Keshav Maharaj toiled hard from one end, but didn’t get the support he needed from the other. Would the Proteas have been better served by taking a third pace option in the form of Lungi Ngidi or Anrich Nortje? Continue reading “Talking Points- India vs South Africa First Test Day 1 October 1 2019 Visakhapatnam”
Five Talking Points- India Women vs South Africa Women 4th T20 October 1 2019 Surat
A disappointing performance from South Africa’s Women saw them slump to a 51 run defeat in the fourth T20 international at the Lalbhai Contractor Stadium. With the Proteas having also lost the first T20, this result sees India clinch the five game series 2-0.
Here are our talking points from the game.
Dropped catches galore from South Africa: The Proteas Women were their own worst enemies in the field. Lara Goodall, Nadine de Klerk and Ayabonga Khaka dropped three skiers between them in the first four overs. Smriti Mandhana was given FOUR lives before eventually falling for 13.
Had the fielding been good, the visitors would’ve certainly have been chasing a more achievable total rather than the steep 141 they had to in the end.
Young Shafali Varma comes good: One of the recipients of the Proteas’ generosity on the field was teenager Shafali Verma. Out for a duck in the first T20, she could’ve again been dismissed cheaply had Goodall held on to an easy catch at mid wicket. Verma’s powerful 46 off 33, studded with five fours and two sixes, was a key reason for India getting a match winning score.
Proteas Women disappointing with the bat: Five of India’s six batsmen all struck at over a run a ball- none of the Proteas managed to do so. Tazmin Brits and Laura Wolvaardt were the only players to cross double digits, and the visitors were never really in the chase, only mustering a feeble 89/7 in response to India’s 140/4. A 51 run defeat, by T20 standards, is a massive one, and South Africa were thoroughly outplayed here. Continue reading “Five Talking Points- India Women vs South Africa Women 4th T20 October 1 2019 Surat”