South Africa vs India 2nd test match summary

It was not the best performance by India. It was a dissapointment to watch in the end. South Africa taking the series home with the third test remaining. I will go day by day today, and i would like to start with the selection.

India starting off with making three big changes. Saha was out because of injury. Parthiv Patel was at his place instead, and then the surpise change off Bhuvneshwar Kumar, after a important contribution in the first test, got benched by Ishant, and a quite good change with Dhawan out and bringing in KL Rahul. South Africa facing a injury with Steyn, so that got the debutant Ngidi in instead of him, rest of South Africas side was the same.

Day 1 started off with South Africa batting first and Markram was looking very good at the start. He was fluent in his batting while Elgar had problems batting, as he got troubled by the Indian bowling. The Indian bowling has been good, as they fought hard with the ball, but they did not get any wickets in the first session. There was a bit of swing for the new ball bowlers, but not enough to trouble South Africa, as they finished of the first session with 78/0 at lunch.
After lunch Ashwin got some turn and struck a big wicket for India, as Elgar departed with just 31 runs, as he was still not looking set while Ashwin was bowling to him. Markram kept going with Amla, as they putted up a good 60+ run partnership before Markram got out in his nervous 90's. AB De Villers and Amla got through to tea, as South Africa were looking in a good position at tea.
After tea Amla and De Vililers got their 50 run partnership and then Ishant Sharma got De Villiers to chop on a cut shot to his stumps, as India got a big wicket, but then Du Plessis and Amla got set as they were looking like they would stay there until the end of day 1, but Hardik Pandya had other ideas with a brilliant runout of Amla, and then De Cock when soon after as Ashwin bowled a great ball and a easy catch for the slip fielder Kohli. South Africa ending the day with 269/5.

Day 2 started off with India picking off Philander early as they fought hard for that wicket. South Africa were very defensive as India were really trying to get one of these 2. Du Plessis scored a important 50 as South Africa crossed the 300 mark, before they got all out at 335. Indias turn to bat, and straight away after lunch KL Rahul got out. South Africa stuck to their plans well and they were very good with the ball. Pujara had a brain fade and then ran himself out, as it was his call, and he called for a run when he knows that he is not the quickest running between the wickets, and then Virat Kohli came in. Vijay and Kohli held themselves in as they got through to tea at 80/2.
After tea Vijay in apparently his nervous 40's got out, playing at a bad ball and India stumbled again. Rohit Sharma not really getting settled in and got out quickly aswell, and Parthiv got out quickly, and India were not looking like a side that was number 1 in that stage. They ended the day at 183/5 with Kohli and Pandya still there.

Day 3 started off with Virat Kohli getting to his century. Great character by the Indian captain, leading from the front yet again, and showing that India have the best batsman, but not the best batting lineup. People do not realise that India are not as strong in the batting as they were before. Moving on as Hardik Pandya making another big brain fade by forgetting to have his bat grounded while running between the wickets. It is schoolboy cricket stuff, and it was dissapointing to see. Ashwin and Kohli got going with a decent partnership, that got India closer to South Africas total, but then Ashwin got out after playing a good knock of 38 of 54 balls. He was looking really good out there, but then he departed and Shami also departed before Ishant held himself in as Virat Kohli got to his 150. In the end as Kohli tried to accelerate but got caught at long on as India ended the innings with 307 all out, trailing by 28 runs. South Africa had some overs before tea and Bumrah struck early by picking up Markram and Amla, but then Elgar and De Villiers got themselves going and ended the session at 60/2. After tea South Africa batted for a bit before the rain came down, then it stopped and the partnership was going good again as the bad light ended the day with 90/2.

Day 4 started off with Elgar and De Villiers getting across the 100 run mark and Elgar got to his 50, and just before drinks, De Villiers got out to Shami, who got some bounce and swing that took the glove of De Villiers and Patel took an easy catch. Then South Africa slowed down a bit, with Du Plessis playing a carefull knock, and then Elgar got out soon after getting his 50. De Cock went quickly aswell and India got back into the game by picking up the important wickets, but then after lunch, India went defensive. They were not looking for wickets, but looking for South Africa to loose patience. It is a good idea, but India needed to go for more wickets. They needed to restrict South Africa under 250, but with Du Plessis and Philander playing well, they got past 250 with ease before Philander got out, and then India cleaned up the tail as India got the target of 287 runs to win with 4 sessions remaining. India messing up early as Vijay, KL Rahul and the big fish Virat Kohli got out quickly, eventhough Vijay and KL Rahul were looking good at the start, but as soon as 1 wicket falls, there is always a few more added. Virat really had nothing to do when he got out. It was on a shorter length and then it kept low and got in to Kohlis pads. Kohli refered the decision and it was not overturned, and there went the hopes of India. India ended day 4 at 35/3 with a small hope with Cheteshwar Pujara still at the crease.

I just want to quickly summarize day 5 because it was all South Africa. India were looking at the loss from the word go on day 5, and it did not look different at all. Pujara making the first mistake and then it was just a sorry looking scorecard to show how poor India have been with the bat in South Africa. Only 1 man getting past that 100 run mark for India, and that has been the captain himself. Really sad that no one reacted along side Virat. India miss Ajinkiya Rahane in these circumstances. They need a cool head at the pitch. They were not cooled. All of a sudden India wanted runs rather than staying at the crease. It is not how test cricket is played. As a batsman you play for your wicket. You play for as long as the team requires you to play and when you can't deliver, then you have to be dropped. Rohit should be changed with Rahane, and they need to bring Jadeja back into the side. I think that will help India immensly, along with Bhuvi as well.