*Official* India in South Africa

[Turbinator]

This is a really good point. The fact many of us are disappointed (to varying degrees) in only drawing the series shows how far this team has come.

The only away from the subcontinent series in recent times in which I was similarly disappointed was Australia 03-04.

Can't fall asleep?

 

[Dissector]

The other thing about this team is they managed to get 20 wickets in consecutive games which seemed wildy improbable after the first test. Yeah they messed up badly yesterday but they put SA consistently under pressure in each of the four innings. They are not great on paper but it's remarkable how often they have gotten the job done in the last few years.

Speaking of 03-04, Zaheer was injured for the last test then as well and though he wasn't half the bowler back then he could have made the difference in that game. I remember Boycott mentioning this on some TV show. A fully fit Zaheer would probably have made the difference here as well. Still fitness problems are pretty much part of the package and we desperately need some backup. The 4-test series against England is going to be a huge challenge and realistically I don't think Zaheer will be fully fit for more than two games.

 

[Blaze 18]

MS Dhoni's captaincy record remains intact.

South Africa have, apparently, not won a test series at home since they beat Bangladesh in November 2008. Quite surprising.

 

[Zinzan]

Gutsy effort from India, they've managed to match SA by drawing the away leg series, which I didn't think they were capable. How do you separate these two sides? Extremely even.

On a side note, why are SA struggling so much at home these days, that's Aust, Eng & India they've failed to beat at home in recent times, quite weird.

 

[NasserFan207]

Good series, though I still see weaknesses in both teams.

South Africa have relied way too much on Steyn and Kallis in this series. And Harris has to go, he did absolutely nothing today.

Good job to India, they have played gritty Kallisball from the second test onwards and deserved the drawn series. They also have problems, obviously Sreesanth and Sharma as well as the fact that their batting must've peaked by now, and will gradually weaken.

Fun series to watch anyway, wish it had been longer.

 

[Blaze 18]

It is hard to make a case for South Africa being number one at this point in time, to be honest. They have just won a single series - against West Indies - over the last two years. They are just too inconsistent for a top side. I am tempted to rate England ahead at this stage - that is a debate for another thread, though.

 

[Dissector]

How do you separate these two sides?

That's easy. Pick the side that has won more than one series in the last two years.

Btw what is the future calendar for series between India, SA and England. What is the next series after India's tour to England?

 

[Zinzan]

That's easy. Pick the side that has won more than one series in the last two years.

Clearly, head to head, there's absolutely nothing between these two sides

 

[Shri]

Just Steyn.

 

[vcs]

I'd agree that SA and India's head-to-head records are fairly identical, except India has beaten England both home and away, while SA could only draw at home, and India has beaten SL at home and drawn away, whereas IIRC SA lost at SL last time they toured (long while back).

My position before this series was - if SA win, I'd consider them No. 1. Anything else and India have done enough to retain the crown.

 

[popepouri]

Good series, though I still see weaknesses in both teams.

South Africa have relied way too much on Steyn and Kallis in this series. And Harris has to go, he did absolutely nothing today.

Tahir took 6 today bringing his tally in the SSS up to 36 wickets in 5* games. I don't think Harris will be playing in the next match.

 

[vcs]

Kallis hits a century at a SR of 55 and doesn't bowl.

Tendulkar hits a century at a SR of 47 and picks up a wicket.

Kallis the better batsman, but Tendulkar the better cricketer IMO.

Haha, missed this gem earlier.

 

[Prince EWS]

Haha, missed this gem earlier.

To add to that, Kallis scored another awesome century and then Tendulkar batted for the red ink in the fourth innings of a drawn game.

 

[silentstriker]

To add to that, Kallis scored another awesome century and then Tendulkar batted for the red ink in the fourth in a drawn game.

Well, Kallis scored so selfishly and slowly allowing Tendulkar to easily see out the game.

 

[Prince EWS]

Well, Kallis scored so selfishly and slowly allowing Tendulkar to easily see out the game.

You're not very good at the ironic-role-swapping game are you?

 

[silentstriker]

You're not very good at the ironic-role-swapping game are you?

I was joking .

And yes, I got the irony.

And, no, I'm no good at it .

 

[Blaze 18]

Points out of ten for the Indians

1) Gautham Gambhir - seven
2) Virender Sehwag - three
3) Rahul Dravid - two
4) Sachin Tendulkar - eight
5) VVS Laxman - seven
6) Chetesthwar Pujara - four
7) MS Dhoni - five
8) Harbhajan Singh - six
9) Zaheer Khan - eight
10)Ishant Sharma - one
11)Sreesanth - four

 

[vcs]

Dravid > Sehwag for his innings today alone, TBH. Not to mention the catch of Steyn in the previous Test.

 

[Prince EWS]

Why does Sehwag get a higher score than Dravid? Neither of them scored any runs but Dravid's innings today was a far better and more important one than Sehwag played all series.

 

[silentstriker]

Pujara...four points for 19, 10, 2?