***Official*** India in South Africa 2013/14

[Cruxdude]

But he would prob have played instead of Rahane, who made a critical contribution in the first and final innings.

Ya he should have probably played instead of Ashwin in hindsight. But I will stay with the same team for Durban.

 

[Cevno]

Nope that was the excuse. The West Indies tour was never on the schedule and was arranged last minute.

Well, considering that dispute has been going on since January and then July when initially BCCI threatened to cancel the tour, must have been some well thought of pre planned excuse.

And ODI series vs Australia in the vacant gap was organized around the same time. Could have easily had West Indies tests + 3 tests here easily if they wanted.

 

[Ilovecric]

Really wish SA had won because this Indian team is a bit overrated.

 

[Prince EWS]

If they drop Ishant for Umesh I'll be ****ing PISSED. Ishant played his ass off and was the top bowler in this series alongside with Shami.

You're not going to fit in here.

 

[Jono]

Yeah this is basically where I sit.

South Africa have backed themselves to win the next Test. Someone said they'd kill Dhoni if India done the same thing in this position but it's not a valid comparison IMO as the win meant so much more to India here going into Durban. South Africa were happy to just get out of gaol and write this Test off so they could start again in Durban, backing themselves to come out on top there. A win here for India would've been huge in the context of the series, much bigger than a South African win.

That said, this is the sort of post I expected to have to make if South Africa gave up with a session or an hour to go. I expected to have to explain that South Africa had a better chance of winning in Durban than they did of winning here from that point and that they maximised their chances of winning the series. But with three overs to go.. I'm not really sure they did maximise their chances of winning the series tbh. I think the win was probably there for the taking. It was more risky having de Villiers and Faf play the way they did towards the end of that partnership and then for Philander to come out batting aggressively as he did than it would have been to have a go at 16 off 3 overs. Even if they just took the singles.

I don't think it's as bad a decision as some are saying, and it's attracted some absolutely terrible posts elsewhere (not so much here) but I still find it hard to completely defend overall. I expected them to go for the draw at some point today and I expected it to be criticised so I had my big defence prepared in my head.. but I just don't really buy it anymore. The last three hours went against how they'd approached the previous hour.

Exactly.

When Philander came in to bat SA had more chance of losing than they did when there were 3 overs left.

The decision actually makes no sense. And if India scrape a draw or, God forbid, win Durban. South Africa will look ****ing ridiculous.

Hope someone grills Smith on that and Dhoni on Shami.

 

[Jono]

Really wish SA had won because this Indian team is a bit overrated.

What? No one even rated this team, the least rated Indian team of like 12 years.

Seriously weird and incredibly wrong post.

 

[Cevno]

Ya he should have probably played instead of Ashwin in hindsight. But I will stay with the same team for Durban.

Depends on the pitch.

Not much to change in the batting, but in terms of bowlers dunno.

Ashwin particularly is not being effective overseas at all. Zak and Ishant were meh 2nd innings as well.

 

[indiaholic]

But why would Smith say that then?

He was taking the piss.

 

[Heboric]

I want to hear some of the SA fans opinions on the decision at the end. Surely you guys are disgusted

I think its a tough one, nobody wants a series loss at home to India,on their CV.

Plus someone mentioned when people will blame the BCCI for this, indirectly we could maybe, If there was a third test maybe they would have tried more.

Plus tahir is a genuine no 12 bat awful.

Lastly why arent people questioning India, surely they have questions to ask as well. Could it be another series win chances blown by India in South Africa like the last time they were here in South Africa

 

[Cruxdude]

I think Ishant was pretty good today in the final hour. He and Shami made the draw possible considering the ease with which they were scoring.

 

[Sachin95]

You're not going to fit in here.

Fine with me, I have been backing Ishant for a long time now and will continue to do so. If he didnt take that wicket we probably would have lost the match. Not to mention 3 KEY! wickets in the first innings. His economy was the best from all fastbowlers in this innings and he was the best bowler in the first innings HANDS DOWN.

 

[Garson007]

I'm disappointed with the decision and I don't agree with it. However, I'm just happy we didn't lose.

 

[Lasereyes]

Well, considering that dispute has been going on since January and then July when initially BCCI threatened to cancel the tour, must have been some well thought of pre planned excuse.

And ODI series vs Australia in the vacant gap was organized around the same time. Could have easily had West Indies tests + 3 tests here easily if they wanted.

I'm saying that was the media excuse. The dispute is well publicized, but if that was still ongoing, the tour would have been cancelled altogether.

 

[Cruxdude]

I think its a tough one, nobody wants a series loss at home to India,on their CV.

Plus someone mentioned when people will blame the BCCI for this, indirectly we could maybe, If there was a third test maybe they would have tried more.

Plus tahir is a genuine no 12 bat awful.

Lastly why arent people questioning India, surely they have questions to ask as well. Could it be another series win chances blown by India in South Africa like the last time they were here in South Africa

The Indian questioning is done and we have found Dhoni guilty.

 

[Dissector]

Personally I would probably go with Shami, Umesh, Ishant and Ashwin but if Zak has to play I would probably drop Ishant.

 

[Cruxdude]

I'm saying that was the media excuse. The dispute is well publicized, but if that was still ongoing, the tour would have been cancelled altogether.

It couldn't have been cancelled without India copping a huge fine and BCCI if you don't know loves money.

 

[91Jmay]

I feel a complete arse for moaning about it, as we've just witnessed one of the great test matches however IMO South Africa showed a lack of courage not going for it. The old choke gene reared its head again with Faf taking a brainless single despite leaving and blocking a heap of balls in the 5 overs previously the same as the one he drove. From then S.A were clearly rattled and whilst I would say I couldn't blame them, honestly with 16 to win to make history you have to try it. You just have to. If it was a chase of 378, fine block out a draw from there. I don't care. But 458? You have to try it. If you have anything about you at all, you at least go for it with 12 balls remaining. Turning down singles in that situation is borderline insulting.

Again, fabulous test match and both teams deserve immense credit. Kohli, Puraja, Peterson, Smith, De Villiers, Du Plessis, Ishant first dig, Shami and Kallis 2nd dig, (without him that turns into a rout as India plunder minimum 100 more) all had exceptional moments. Joy to watch, but feel like a spoilt child as I wanted more.

 

[Lasereyes]

It couldn't have been cancelled without India copping a huge fine and BCCI if you don't know loves money.

Who in the ICC would have the balls to fine India. If they did, they could easily tell BCCI to stop meddling in the internal affairs of another member board.

 

[Garson007]

Also this way the South African gloaters won't find their way onto CW, so that's good.

 

[OverratedSanity]

Happy for Faf that he got the result he always wanted tbh