It was surprising to many analysts around the world, that
why would a captain put in line his batsmen against a fiery spell of fast
bowling on a fresh Wanderer’s pitch from one of the world’s best bowling
lineups.
Fortune favors the brave to say the least, and after both
the opener’s were sent back to the pavilion, slightly disproving the decision
of the captain, a watchful Virat Kohli and an equally adept Cheteshwar Pujara
saw to it that the pace battery takes rest after their onslaught.
Just when things began to fall in place for India after 2
early wickets, a casual yes and no left Cheteshwar Pujara well short of crease.
But Virat Kohli knew the importance of his wicket and knew that he need to bat
long for India, scored a brilliant century which had all the hallmarks of an
established batsman.
Shot selection from some of the Indian top order batsman is
poor and that’s where Rohit Sharma can concentrate little bit harder to see
that, on seaming wicket like at Jo’burg the ball travels at pace giving little
time for the batsmen to drive through the covers on the rise.
Rahane dug out harder and is holding on 43 not out with
Dhoni in company, and Ashwin to follow there is still some batting left in tail
of the Indian line up.
I think 400 would give India time to stay in the Test match
and a total of 450 plus will give it a chance to throw some questions back at
the hosts.
One of the important lessons from the first day for the top
order India batsmen is to read the situation around well and play accordingly,
the shot selection was not desirable to see from some of the batsmen who got
out cheaply.
And that’s where the experience in all rounder Jacques
Kallis comes in to play, he talks Virat Kohli to play onto a bad ball on the
rise to give a simple catch to a mid-on to wake him up from the deep slumber, lost his wicket when he could
have gone on for more easily, after scoring the century. Yes, he talks back at
himself, every time he gets out to a silly shot.
South Africa bowlers were right on the money, but some home
work by the Indian batsmen stood them in good stead with all the batsmen keen
to leave the ball outside of off-stump except the one played by Rohit Sharma
and Shikhar Dhawan had no clue to duck on to a well directed bouncer from Dale
Steyn.
Vernon Philander was probing and Mornie Morkel was at his
best, including a catch drop by Hashim Amla which was a little bit difficult of
his bowling.
India should try and carefully hold on to the marginal good
first innings total and build upon it to stay in the crucial Test match at
Wanderer’s.
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