How is it over-rated? Since readmission unless i'm mistaken they have the best record of any non SC team in IND/PAK/SRI.
True but let's break down the numbers a little bit.
South Africa have lost 3 series in SC
03 in Pakistan
04 in India
06 in Sri Lanka
In the last 7-8, years, when they have had the best away record and the best SC record
1-0 win in Pakistan 07
1-1 draw in India 08
1-1 draw in India 10
0-0 draw in Pakistan 10 (UAE)
1-1 draw in Pakistan 13 (UAE)
1-0 win in Sri Lanka 14
That's an excellent record but we also need to consider that almost all of them are very short 2 match series. Not saying the South Africa would have lost the 3rd test in those series, but who knows. Maybe Sri Lanka could have bounced back in 14.
This is the first long series they are playing and it is going to be an excellent test of their mettle. And SC is not a monolithic one ground fits all. There is much variety within tracks in India and Sri Lanka and having that record is not necessarily a sign of spin ability.
There are 3 proven world class batsmen in South Africa now and one of them has never played in India before.
Going into a 4 match series with 3 world class batsmen is always going to be a problem, especially in difficult conditions and that's why you have the collapse in the first test. Having said that, I do believe that this team has seen a great deal of success over the last few years and has the ability to bounce back from low points. They got a pounding in Australia in 2012 in the first two games before coming back to decimate Australia. So I expect them to fight back.
South Africa
India
Nothing much to say, prepared a turning pitch to support their strengths like they have done many times before & won. Would be surprised if Dhawan is not dropped however & Saha looks way out of place @ # 6 at test level.
Ok can I ask you what you think about the first Gabba test which for almost 4 days now is one of the most one sided test matches I have ever seen in my life? Among two pretty decent test sides?
Also I would love to know your thoughts about these two games below
1st Test: Australia v Pakistan at Perth, Dec 16-19, 2004 | Cricket Scorecard | ESPN Cricinfo
4th Investec Test: England v Australia at Nottingham, Aug 6-8, 2015 | Cricket Scorecard | ESPN Cricinfo
Except the tradition of India producing bunsens to nullify the likes of Steyn of course. You're ok with that tradition I see. It never gets old seeing jingoists blow raspberries at the game's traditions though. Not a bit. There is only one reason you do it: Your are humiliated by your team's many historical embarrassments. That is the sole unedifying reason. You aren't cricket's version of a romantic Cuban revolutionary stickin' it to the man and his traditions. You offer nothing better as an alternative and love those "traditions" that satisfy your crude nationalism anyway.
Really? Not even at Wankhede ...? So pitches sometimes turn into roads. Well duh. Sometimes they turn into ball tearers when every possible result is at risk on the last day.
I wasn't making a point about the inexact art of pitch preparation. All cricket fans understand the desirability of producing a pitch catering for all the game's skills. Even closet traditionalists like Shri I'd guess. When you prepare a pitch that seams early in the expectation to break up eventually you can honestly say you've made an attempt to represent all the game's skills with an opportunity and a challenge. Can you say that when you produce a bunsen from ball one? The pace men were passengers in this game as even the chest beaters here acknowledge when they break from their internet rioting over their team's win or justifying the dubious intent obtaining it.
So it rather looks like doctoring when the pitch you prepare just happens to nullify the skill your opponent most relies. A pitch made for a team not for the game's skills. It looks like it because it is. So no more justifications or counter points to those I never raised thank you jingoists and apologists! Just reflect, understand, admit and stfu.
Ok I have a serious problem with jingoists and utter nationalists as well. And I agree with you in principle because jingoists want one set of rules to suit them and another set of rules for everyone else.
However, I don't believe that this particular match fits that criteria. I don't believe that India won because they produced a 'doctored' pitch. Mohali is one of my favourite test grounds because it produces challenging and riveting cricket. South Africa collapsed not because of the pitch but because they don't have a very good batting line up. Their batting has always been a tad weaker than their bowling, but for most part their bowling has made up for it. Even in this game their bowling gave them the advantage on Day 1, and then after having faltered it with their batting, their bowling again brought them back into the game, and they still faltered.
Steyn barely bowled 9 overs in this game and was injured for most part. I don't think it's fair to conclude that the pitch was created to nullify him. Steyn has reached the level of those great bowlers like Wasim who can make the pitch redundant.
I think the reason we saw these low scores has less to do with the pitch, more to do with the fact that neither side were particularly good in adapting and responding to the conditions. It was difficult to bat on, and neither of the two sides had faced such conditions in their recent past. One side adapted a bit better and won.
Ultimately if Vijay and Pujara can get runs and more celebrated players like Amla and God fail, you have to call a spade and spade and say Amla and (I hope I don't get charged for blasphemy for this) and ABD just weren't good enough.
And our batsmen suck against good spin too, so not off the realms of possibility that we get spun out by Tahir, Harmer, Duminy and Elgar in one or more of the remaining tests. Bangalore esp. has been a bit of a horror venue for us in tests right? I remember Australia and Pak beating us there.
