JOIN USSouth African bowlers call shots
On a day when wickets tumbled like a house of cards, India salvaged some of the situation after a thoroughly disappointing batting display.
Opting to bat first on a surface that was described by Sunil Gavaskar as “I’ve-never-seen-such-a-wicket-ever-before” during his pitch report, India could muster a modest 201 all out in 68 overs, their innings folding up just 55 minutes into the final session of the opening day of the first Test against South Africa here at the IS Bindra Stadium on Thursday.
There was nothing noteworthy in India’s innings barring M Vijay’s largely trouble-free 75 (202m, 136b, 12x4) and some determined performances from Ravindra Jadeja (38) and R Ashwin (20 n.o.). It was again this spin duo that played a part in India regaining some of the lost ground. Opening the attack, Ashwin caught an ultra-defensive Stiaan van Zyl in front with a one that turned into the batsman who didn’t offer any shot. He was a sitting duck. Nine balls later Faf du Plessis committed the same error — not offering any shot. The right-hander left a Jadeja delivery alone only to see the ball shape in and crash into the woodwork.
With the ball gripping and turning, the three-pronged Indian spin attack (Amit Mishra being the other one) threatened to run through the visiting line-up. Skipper Hashim Amla (9 n.o.) and Dean Elgar (13 n.o.), however, saw through the rest of the day’s proceedings without further loss as South Africa finished the day on 28/2 to trail India by 173 runs.
It was Elgar, an opening batsman, who did most of the damage with a 4/22 though South Africa had sacrificed a batsman to accommodate two specialist spinners. Brought into attack ahead of leggie Imran Tahir, Elgar turned out to be the surprise weapon in Amla’s arsenal. While the part-time left-arm spinner didn’t extract extravagant turn, he made optimum use of the conditions. His looping deliveries, just above the eye-line of the batsmen, gripped and turned just enough to trouble the Indian batsmen on a slow and low wicket.
In the first two sessions, it appeared as if India had walked into their own trap of spin. Having got the pitch of their liking and probably the best conditions to bat that this pitch could offer, India let themselves down due to a combination of poor stroke selection and the vagaries of the surface.
Shikhar Dhawan departed in the second over itself, attempting a cut a delivery that was too close to his body. Batting at his customary No 3 position since he did so in the first innings of the Boxing Day Test in December last year, Cheteshwar Pujara showed few nerves, punching Vernon Philander through mid-off to open India’s account with a four. For the next 65 minutes, both Pujara and Vijay gave little hint of things to unfold. Looking compact and confident, the two right-handers dealt with all comers with great ease before Pujara fell to a harmless delivery from Elgar.
Probably trying to play for the turn, the Saurashtra batsman saw a straighter one catch him plumb in front. Virat Kohli checked his shot off Kagiso Rabada and the ball took a top edge to fly to cover where Elgar took a good catch. Ajinkya Rahane, playing only his second Test at home, and Vijay stabilised the innings as India broke for lunch at 82/3.
The post lunch session turned out to be even more productive for Elgar and South Africa who plucked away four wickets while conceding 85 runs. Rahane and Wriddhiman Saha edged away-turning deliveries while Amit Mishra’s ill-advised adventure cost him his wicket, all falling to Elgar. In between, Vijay had been trapped in front by Simon Harmer after the batsman had missed the ball while attempting a slog sweep.
It was rare moment of indiscretion from the opener that he would not be proud of. However, where other batsmen had failed to exercise caution and show patience, Vijay exhibited both qualities in abundance. So long as he was batting, the pitch appeared to do few tricks and the bowlers seemed ineffective.
The Indian bowlers though are looking ominous. They, however, will have to be disciplined with their line and length.