India surrendered their own fortress away from India. Yes, Johannesburg is Indian fortress in South Africa. India have never lost a test on that ground ever since South Africa were readmitted in 1991. It is hard to believe but it is true. The uneven bounce seems to have suited India quite nicely over the years. Laxman’s and Sreesanth’s special efforts on this very ground comes to mind. However, in the latest episode, somehow the fight was missing. Why and where did India lose?
The game was lost on the first day
202. That is the first innings score. You do not win too many games if your first innings score is just above 200. India lost the game right on the first day. They were easily 100 runs short of par score. Yes, South African bowlers were good and they bowled in the right areas. However, when a team wins the toss and bats, it is expected that they have understood the conditions and are prepared. Not only were they unprepared but they were clueless. Rahul played a Pujara innings. I have said this often and I will repeat it again. Rahul, when he opens the innings, be that in any format, is unable to decide between attack and defence. He gets too bogged down and as a result gives early advantage to the opponent.
The bowlers settle down rather comfortably and are able to dictate terms. Rahul has scored a couple of hundreds in the last 7 tests opening the innings but I think he needs to be much more consistent and much more assertive while opening. I do agree that opening is a tough job and that on a pitch with variable bounce, it is even more challenging. However, the plain fact of the game is that it is runs and wickets that determines the winner. This team cannot afford to have 3 batsmen of similar nature. Rahul, Pujara and Vihari.
Pujara’s and Rahane’s continued failures
The grand oldies of Indian cricket, Pujara and Rahane. I really do not know what else do they have to do to get dropped. Their failures have become laughable. In a team that plays with 5 batsmen and a couple of allrounders, the continued failure of these oldies is hurting the team beyond measure. They scored 50s in the second innings when their chances of survival depended very much on that innings. It clearly shows how they have taken their spots in the team for granted. The point is if either or both of them will score only if a sword is hanging over their heads all the time, it will be prudent to let that sword hang over their heads forever. One failure, you are out of the team. With youngsters waiting in the wings, it is time these old men shapes up or ships out.
Pant’s atrocious shot
What was that Pant? Such a horrible and atrocious shot. Pant seems to think that he is a genius and that the bowlers are all stupid. The game was very much in the balance when Pant walked in. Vihari at the other end was batting reasonably well. If only Pant had put his head down and constructed a 70-80 partnership with Vihari, the target would have been in excess of 300. The shot was downright irresponsible, arrogant and over confident. No nonsense of that is how he bats must be applied. I will even say that Pant because of his carelessness, handed over the game to South Africa on a platter.
For the next game, I do not expect Pant to be dropped. However, I expect him to be punished. He must be send it after Ashwin, Shardul and Shami. If he is going to be irresponsible, let him be irresponsible with the tail. Atleast there will be some justification.
Rahul Dravid has promised to discuss with Pant. I hope it will be a reprimand.
“We know Rishabh plays positively and he plays in a particular manner and that has got him a little bit of success,” Dravid said in his post-match press conference. “But yeah, of course there are times when we’re going to have some level of conversations with him around, just a little bit of maybe just selection of the time to play that [shot].
One bowler too many
Hindsight shows that India must have gone with an extra batsman. Ashwin hardly had a role to play with the ball. However, it was known that Jo’burg does not have any sort of support for spinners. So, perhaps, another batsman inplace of Ashwin or Siraj would have been better. As for Bumrah, his lack of effectiveness in the 4th innings was telling. For some reason, he has never run through an opposition. He provides crucial breakthroughs but does not proceed beyond that. Hopefully, his luck will change in the future games. Mind you, Bumrah has been protected extremely well by the team management and the board. He never had to do the hard yards on the tough Indian wickets.
What must happen in the next test?
The average first innings score at Cape Town over the last 3 years is just below 300. This essentially means that it will be another fast bowler’s pitch. India must go in with an extra batsman. Kohli is expected to return. It may not add anything to India’s batting considering his form over the last 3 years but the team will be galvanised because of his presence. Fifties from Rahane and Pujara must not in anyway save them from the axe.
Their failures were far too many for just a single innings to save them. One or both must be dropped. If it is going to be just one, I would prefer Pujara in the team. He has got slightly more to contribute than Rahane. I do not see a spot for Ashwin because I do not see any role for him with the ball. Umesh must replace the injured Siraj.
By the way, I cannot believe how an absolute mug with the bat Siraj is. In this day and age, when bowlers pride themselves on their ability to bat, here is Siraj who is actually scared of the leather ball. It is ungainly to see him move to the square leg for every delivery. If he intends to play for the team for a longtime, he will do well to improve his batting. He must develop the habit of sticking in the wicket, especially, if a specialist batsman is at the other end.
Vihari must be retained
Hanuma Vihari did enough in the game to be retained. With a bit of support from Pant and the tailenders, he could have pushed India towards a healthy lead. Kohli can replace Pujara or Rahane or if a 6th batsman is chosen, Ashwin. I would personally like to see Kohli replace Rahane.
Conclusion to Why and where did India lose?
India has a great opportunity to win their first series. They must not stuff it up.