India should change the nature of pitches from turning trucks to the one's which assist medium pace

 India should change the nature of pitches from turning trucks to the one's which assist medium pace, as it seems from the first Test match at MCA stadium in Pune the tourists have done their homework exceedingly well than the hosts themselves.
 
Hosts were beaten at their own game. Alarm bells should ring through Indian think tank overlooking the pitch and grounds, that prepares pitches, because Australian spinners particularly Steve O'Keefe proved that he is no fluke, and is enjoying the conditions better than Indian bowlers courtesy poor batting techniques of Indian batsmen on a turning pitch.
 
India should change the nature of the pitch to assist pace bowlers, rest Jayant Yadav and bring in Shami together with Ishant and Umesh. India think tank should think along these lines.
 
We all know Australia are a competitive side, they are thorough professionals, even if they don't have legends of the past in their team, the moment they sense an opportunity they execute their plan very very well.
 
Former player Warne argued before the start of the Test that Australia will give a good fight in this series, he proved more than right.
 
India need to revisit it's strategy to change the nature of pitches for remainder of the series, enough of experiment, failing twice is sufficient evidence, Australia will beat India if same pitches are prepared

eValleyz.Blog

India start as clear favourites for the first Test against Australia at Pune

 India starts as favourites against Australia for the first Test at Pune's MCA stadium. 

Australia are touring India after winning their home series against Pakistan, but given the conditions and temperament of Australia batsman on low bounce, turning tracks,  players will find it difficult to match the hosts.
 
England played well in all of the Tests, in fact after winning the Toss the tourists put on a handsome total in successive matches, yet their batsmen could not launch from the solid platform they found themselves on only due to sheer tenacity of Indian spin department.
 
Both Ravichandran Ashwin and Ravindra Jadeja are a potent bowling duo, and in Indian conditions they can beat any batsmen in the world.
 
Australia's last tour to Sri Lanka was a big loss, given the way their batsmen catapulted against SL spin attack, Australia players will have that loss back in their mind.
 
Though Aussie batsmen should forget it, but having lost the series so badly, it will be there in sub conscious.
 
Steve Smith is the vital cog Aussie team would be relying up on in addition to explosive batsmen in David Warner, but given the form Indian spinners are in, I don't think they will survive for long.
 
Captain Virat Kohli is an aggressive captain and has turned around for India for such a record breaking winning streak in India's cricketing history. Australia has struggled against India on previous tours, so that is an added advantage and it makes things easy for captain to plan the course of proceedings.
 
Not only Indian spinners are doing good, Indian pace attack is rejuvenated and will Test Aussie batsmen initially with swing and later on when the ball starts reversing.
 
Australia will depend heavily on their pace attack comprising Starc and Hazlewood, Lyon will be the key spinner for Australia.  In these conditions India clearly have the upper hand, if visitors don't adapt to the situation fast, I think India will win comfortably.


eValleyz.Blog

Pat Cummins could tweak his bowling action to suit Test grind

Australia has seen new pace bowlers in it's lineup since past two years, of them Josh Hazlewood, Pat Cummins are a very good prospect. John Hastings is also one of a bright prospect for Australia's attack.

Josh Hazlewood is already contributing to Aussie side. Read the latest about Cummins by legends of Australian Cricket, I think it is a very valuable advice for young paceman.

Pat Cummins according to me has lot of potential. Every bowler has his own style of run up and action.

I think I would suggest Cummins to take a look at Mitchell Johnson run up and delivery.

Though there is a stark contrast in the delivery of both the bowlers, but I feel Cummins could benefit from the action of former Australian champion paceman who English in the Ashes in the recet past just before retiring from the game.

Has gone through reports where Cummins fitness is under scanner following medical intervention due to sports injuries for back. I would suggest Cummins to take it easy rather than trying hard.

One thing I think  could help Cummins is slightly tweaking his bowling action. And I would like the paceman have a close look at Mitch's action and try a little bit of side on action.

I think Mitch's action is a very good one for a paceman, very efficient, resilient and packs power to knock off opposition. 

There is nothing like Test Cricket, I think Cummins should have a very easy run up without stressing the back, delivery of the ball should be worked on, considering his back problems.

With further help and advice of legends and health experts, I think he should be Test Cricket in near future.

All the best to him career and hope he gives best for many years to come for Australia,

Valleyz.Blog

India plays Australia in the first T20 at Adelaide tomorrow.

India plays Australia in the first T20 international ahead of the upcoming World Cup T20 in march in India.

Team managements of both the teams are looking to give new comers the chance to see how they fare, based on the performances, they could be selected for the World Cup in India.

Adelaide pitch seems to be evenly balanced whether you bat first or second. So the team winning the Toss can opt according to their strengths like batting or bowling first and take that early advantage from the opposition.

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India bats again at Melbourne in a crucial match in the series against Australia

India batting first after Australia elected to field after winning the Toss. Rohit Sharma was out early for 6.

Thereafter Shikhar Dhawan and Virat Kohli built the innings together with a 119 run partnership for the second wicket, and then Shikhar Dhawan was out for a patient knock of 68.

As the last reports came in Kohli 71 Rahane 19 India 170/2 was the scoreline.

It is bowling which is of a concern for the team as was seen on two batsman friendly wickets at Perth and Gabba.

Melbourne is altogether a different wicket, you need to toil hard to get runs it is not that easy for the visitors.

But when the hosts will come out to bat it will be an altogether different story. They will surely come bang bang as they have nothing to loose and they are already two nil up in the series. Home conditions is an added advantage.

Rishi Dhawan has been included in the place of R Ashwin in the playing eleven.

320 should be scored for defending against a strong inform batting lineup. I would be happy if the team wins with even a 280 too, but that isn't the case as has been observed in the earlier two matches. Australia easily managed to chased down two 300 plus totals.

Rishi Dhawan is too a late a change, he should have been in the team from the first match, but one or two players inclusion or exclusion doesn't matter, it is a team game. The team should collectively have to perform out of the ordinary to win. And Australia looks in ominous form as usual at home.

Valleyz.Blog

Ravindra Jadeja could be send up the order to do the Pinch hitting

Spinners can't do much on surfaces like Perth, which are very flat and the ball doesn't grip on the surface of the pitch.

Bowlers from all the teams have gone for runs in the recent past at Perth.

In such circumstances one is forced to think, was India short of another 50 runs. 

Indian batters did well but more could have been scored from the pitch if someone do the pinch hitting up the order to boost the Overall team total.

Brisbane is too similar where bowlers if hit the deck hard can take wickets.  Though it may not be such a huge scoring game as Perth.
  
 Valleyz.Blog

Smith and Bailey partnership wins the game for Australia against India at Perth.

On the back of 207 run partnership for the 2nd wicket between Rohit Sharma 171 and Virat Kohli 91 India scored a 300 plus total against Australia at Perth in the first ODI.

Rohit Sharma  was at his best and played strokes all around the ground and that gave India a good total of 309 to defend.

Australia in reply lost it's both the openers quickly to Barinder Sran in his debut match. After that Skipper Steve Smith and George Bailey built the Aussie innings with nice batting display.

Thus taking away the match from India. 242 run partnership was broken when Bailey got out at 112. Australia team total was 263.

Skipper Smith was in tremendous touch once again as he notched one more hundred against India. Maxwell followed Bailey but was out for only 6 runs.

 B Kumar was economical giving away 42 runs in 9 Overs. Sran 3 and Ashwin took 2 wickets each.

Perth has seen some big centuries too in the recent Test match played between Australia and NewZealand. So it was expected that this could be high scoring game.

How many runs were India short that is for team management to look into the matter. Altogether it was a good match for India, as it is a tour opener and India playing a new player in the team after Md Shami's withdrawal from the tour due to injury.

Though spinners went for runs, but pitch may have played for the turners.

Australia wins easily 310/5 in 50th Over. Skipper Smith 149 made a crucial contribution in the win.


eValleyz.Blog

Perth game should include new talent regardless of the warm up results

India team has elected to bat first at the first tour game against Western Australia at Perth.

Looking at the team composition the new selections Barinder Sran, Manish Pandey, Rishi Dhawan and Gurkeerat Mann all are in the playing eleven. That is the right kind of exposure the new talent needs. 

Though the first ODI is four days away I would still like to declare my selection for the first ODI.

I would definitely like to see all the new selections in the first match at Perth,  so that there is no pressure on them to play to their natural abilities. 

Though some of them have good experience with the IPL like Manish Pandey and Rishi Dhawan. Playing away from home and in Australian conditions like WACA is going to be a test.

I would like to see them play early games and hope for the best.

Rishi Dhawan in place of Shikhar Dhawan, Manish Pandey in place of Rohit Sharma, Gurkeerat Singh in place of Ajinkya Rahane and Barinder Sran should be there in the first match itself I think.

Murali Vijay had a good stint Down Under last summer, would've liked to see him in the ODI format too.

One or two or all is my selection for first game at Perth. My opinion is for new players in the starting games.

Team management is perfectly placed to make the final call. Final call is theirs. All the best team India.

Valleyz.Blog

After England's stellar show South Africa replies with a gritty performance

South Africa not only managed to stem the rot, but it matched the England's first innings huge total of 629/6  declared with 627/7 declared.

South Africa after the England onslaught in the first innings on the back of Stokes-Bairstow record 399 run partnership did manage to hold on to the match by a gritty performance by Skipper Amla notching a double hundred and Bavuma's maiden Test hundred.

De Villiers 88 and Du Plessis 86, too had a good outing in the match another positive from the match for the hosts.

The knocks by Amla and Bavuma for South Africa has infused new energy in the team. This will surely help South Africa in the remainder of the series with two more Tests to go.

There was every possibility of an England win in the match. Overcoming the deficit on the back of some lucky dropped chances by England, South Africa clawed it's way back in to the series and does have a hope to match the visitors strong showing in the series.

England 87/5 at Lunch on Day 5, could have secured a win and go 2-0 up. It may rue that possibility, but credit must also be given to South Africa for the temperament it showed in the match.

South Africa down by 1-0 in the series does have a chance to stop England from taking away the series after dominating performances in both the Tests.

Valleyz.Blog

South Africa should pull it's overall game together after the Durban Test

 England won the Durban Test in a convincing manner, it outplayed South Africa in all the departments. 

I still think that there is not much difference between the two sides, but South Africa's overall game is under scrutiny. 

There is not much South Africa can do except stick to the basics and complement each other on and off the field, they are still the no.1 team in the world.

Steyn's injury should be a cause of concern but not to an extent that overall team's performance is affected.  

One or two players performance or failure never should bother a team.

Before the start of the first Test, James Anderson's non availability  due to calf strain was big news as everyone knows his contribution to the England side.

Steven Finn, Stuart Broad, Chris Woakes and Ben Stokes combined well to keep the pressure on South Africa in crucial stages. Moeen Ali already among the wickets repeated the performance at Durban.

It was a mixed bag of luck for South Africa as van Zyl was out 2nd ball of the innings, thus exposing an out of form Amla very soon in the first innings. 

Amla could only defend some but not all from Broad's usual probing line with a hard new ball. The way South Africa lost seven wickets in the first innings on the third day too proved an advantage for the England team, securing a vital 89 runs.

England team looks solid both with the bat and the ball and everything seems to be going there way at the moment, which is a very positive sign for the remainder of the series.

South Africa on the other hand should pull it's overall game together and tighten up the loose ends.


Valleyz.Blog

Despite Dean Elgar's ton England on top on the third day at stumps at the Durban Test 2015

 South Africa were bowled out for 214 handing over a handsome lead of 89 runs to England in the first innings at Kingsmead, Durban. Dean Elgar notched a well battled hundred and carried the bat through the innings remaining not out on 118.

South Africa lost it's last six wickets for just 70 odd runs, 

SA 137/4, ENG 303 Elgar 67* Bavuma10* Stuart Broad took 3/16 and Moeen Ali 1 wicket at stumps on Day 2 at Durban. #Cricket #SAvENG #SAvsENG

— CricketCorner (@PlayingCricket_) December 27, 2015

 Moeen Ali  added three wickets to his overnight tally of 1 wicket and Steven Finn finished off the tail.

Questions has been raised about the way South Africa batted. Are they too much dependent on some of the players? Are they not playing spin that well?

I think England bowled really well,  even in the absence of James Anderson due to a calf strain.

James Anderson doubtful for Boxing Day Test against South Africa after calf scan #Cricket

— CricketCorner (@PlayingCricket_) December 23, 2015

 Stuart Broad making early inroads in the South African top order with consistently probing line. Made batting difficult for South Africa batsmen taking the wickets of Van Zyl, Hashim Amla and AB de Villiers.

Dale Steyn went for a scan that made South Africa a bowler short and there were a number of dropped chances behind the stumps while Morkel bowled.

Though England is on top of the game, but South Africa didn't play that bad as it looked. England lead by 261 runs with seven wickets in hand.

I think 400 would be a total England would be looking to set for South Africa to chase in the second innings.

If South Africa can bat for long hours it can still salvage a draw, but England has got more balanced bowling unit, only a determined effort can save South Africa now.

Valleyz.Blog

It is totally a different ball game Down Under

 India need to play to it's strength in the upcoming series against Australia in January 2016 where it is scheduled to play three T20's and Five ODI series before the WorldT20 Finals in India in March.

The last match it played down under was the semi-final of the World Cup 2016, which India lost to Australia by a huge margin. 

233 was India's reply to Australia's 328/7.  Though India managed to pick early wickets in that match but could not stop Steve Smith from scoring a hundred that helped Australia score a huge total.

If we take a look at Australia's batsmen playing in Australia's grounds you can observe their fluency of strokes.

It comes from sheer reading of the pitch conditions in Australia, which are quite similar in places like Hobart and Melbourne. If you hit the deck hard at these grounds you are in position of extracting that little element of surprise which can get you a wicket.

Bowling in Indian conditions and on Indian wickets is a different proposition, here our conditions early in the morning are different than in the afternoon and also the pitch plays differently during the day. Spin friendly tracks don't offer much bargain.

But in Australia the bowlers can extract something out of the placid tracks if you hit the deck hard and maintain line and length.Melbourne is such an example, the ball after hitting the deck plays differently than in the subcontinental conditions. 

Indian batsmen expect the ball come to them fast but the bounce is different to that of the Indian pitches, that offsets the technique of many an Indian batsmen except a few like Kohli and Vijay who adjusted well against the likes of Mitchell Johnson.

Many Indian batsmen performed very well in Australian conditions worth mentioning Rahul Dravid, Sourav Ganguly and VVS Laxman. 

Laxman had that ability to play it on the rise, negate the bounce of the ball with wristy strokes, that very few can play. When wrists come into play it becomes a headache for the bowler to set the field for the batsmen.

Indian batting and bowling should be according to the conditions in Australia when playing in Australia. 

India need the bowlers who can hit the deck hard while maintaining the line and length. Ashok Dinda comes to my mind, his bowling actions is quiet distinct and he could derive bargain out of  pacy wickets like the ones in Australian conditions, I think.  

Umesh Yadav and Aaron they both are qutie similar, bowling fast, they are not going to bother the Australian batsmen much who would like the ball to come on to the bat. Especiall with players like Smith who would want to smack the ball out of the ground, the bowlers could do little to stop the stroke play from such batsmen.

Instead the team needs bowlers who can bend the back hit the deck hard like James Pattinson is doing in against the West Indies. Mitchell Johnson was clever enough to use the conditions to his liking, he even used to hit the deck hard, even though he bowled to a sling shot action.

In Australia if the bowlers are just going to run in and bowl fast, it is probably the batters gonna hit each delivery as powerfully as possible for maximum runs.

eValleyz.Blog

West Indies bowling strategy similar to that of Hobart Test.

Australia dominates the Boxing Day Test and  at stumps - Day 1: Australia were 345/3 (90.0 ov, Usman Khawaja 144, Joe Burns 128, Jerome Taylor 2/83) .

It was good attendance at the MCG on the boxing day with 53 thousand people watching the match.

Earlier West Indies having won the Toss elected to field first sending in inform Australia to bat. The batsmen made most out of a placid track after David Warner was out early for 23

At the close of play captain Steve Smith* 32(49) and Adam Voges 10(24) were at the crease.

Jason Holder gave only 33 runs from 17 overs with economy of just under 2 runs per over.  Jerome Taylor two wickets for West Indies.

It was hard toil for West Indies pace bowlers, after having won the Toss elected to field first.

Many people criticized  that decision, but I think West Indies didn't wanted to expose it's inexperienced batting line up to a new ball on the first day.

 If there was a batting collapse then it would be difficult for West Indies to come back in the match and could demoralize the team batting prospects.

It happened at Hobart with only exception of Darren Bravo who made a hundred in that Test to bring some confidence back in to the team.

Australia is set for a big total at the MCG, what West Indies could do is to use as many spinners to halt the Australian scoring rate.

The team need to take a fresh look at it's bowling strategy, Hobart and MCG look very similar, where the West Indies team bowlers in particular couldn't extract much bargain. 

 Valleyz.Blog

South Africa vs England 2015 first Test at Durban - Overview

According to reports England's James Anderson is confirmed injured due to a calf strain ahead of the first Test between England and South Africa at Durban on Boxing Day.

That is pretty bad news for the visitors as James Anderson is the spearhead of the English attack, in his absence Steven Finn is likely to play for England.

Meanwhile the hosts are confident of a solid performance with the return of Dale Steyn in the attack supported by Morkel, Rabada, Abbot and others.

Pitch is likely to suit pacers, and South Africa are likely to have the home advantage. 

Many of the English players are touring South Africa for the first time. The players include, Ben Stokes, Moeen Ali and others.

South Africa recently lost the series to India in spinner friendly conditions. 

The team will be looking forward leaving behind the loss to take on the visitors on home ground conditions.

On the paper both the teams look evenly balanced with Proteas having the home advantage.

Valleyz.Blog

West Indies can fight back in the Boxing day Test at the MCG

Things not looking rosy for the West Indies Cricket, as there are widespread media reports about the game being in danger in the Caribbean Islands.

West Indies abandoned the Tour of India mid-way when it last toured India. Recently several commentators of the game including Michael Holding have voiced their concerns.

I think there should be a way out of the present scenario. The acrimony between the players and the board should be sorted out at the earliest.

Holding blasts WICB as dysfunctional , untrustworthy - The Hindu

 The team is touring Australia now, and has lost the first Test inside three days at Hobart.

 Does the state of affairs reflect on the players, too tough to say, but would be happy to believe that isn't the case and the team come back strongly in the Boxing day Test at the beautiful and picturesque Melbourne Cricket Ground.

In the meantime Australia broadcaster Nine seem to have prepared for all the contingencies if the visitors loose again badly in the Boxing Day Test and the New Year Test as both dominate the Australian Cricket scene in Australia.

 Cricket: What will happen to Nine if the West Indies can't perform? - Sydney Morning Herald

West Indies seem to have been little out of touch in the Hobart game, but MCG is also a tough venue will be much similar to the Hobart pitch, bowlers especially need to look for early breakthroughs and should not allow Australia score easily.

Valleyz.Blog 

India should devise a strategy, game plan ahead of the ODI/T20 2016 tour of Australia

India is touring Australia in January 2016 where it is slated to play five ODI's and three T20's.

National Selectors are meeting in Delhi to pick up the squad. India lost T20's as well as ODI series on the last tour. I would not argue on the team composition, because most of the players pick themselves on their past experience and their present form by a margin. There is no doubt about that.

The thing I don't like is, Indian team doesn't plays to its full potential from game one, be it a T20 International or One Day International.

The team should play to it's full potential, that doesn't mean our bowlers are mercilessly used and tiring them off, but clever use of conditions. In Australia I have seen India team improving year on year, but the goal should be to win each game at a time. Convert the away series into wins. 

I think training camp should be held at venues in India which offer similar conditions to that of Australia, like say at Mohali or Dharamshala or any fit venue for the purpose especially for the youngsters, new comers in the team so that they are fine tuned from the game one and play to their full potential.

Players should take this opportunity to excel in away conditions, and devise such a plan and strategy to counter pace and bounce in the batting department, as well as studying the nuances of sticking to line and length in the bowling department, which promise dividends to players on any given Australian tour.

Australia extracts more from their agility and fire power on and off the field in Australian conditions, it suits their overall physical abilities on any given day, but the tourists too could make up to the hosts by training and devising a strategy, plan to counter the Australian onslaught.

 Valleyz.Blog

IPL auction see MS Dhoni picked up by Pune, Raina by Rajkot

IPL auctions took place today and Mahendra Singh Dhoni was bought by Pune and Suresh Raina went to Rajkot two of the new IPL franchisee in the Indian Premier League.

Ravindra Jadeja too was picked up by Rajkot. James Faulkner, Brendon McCullum, Dwayne Bravo are also with Rajkot team.

Ajinkya Rahane, Steve Smith, Ravichandran Ashwin and Faf du Plessis are with Pune Team.Ashok Dinda and Manoj Tiwary also with Pune.

As Chennai Super Kings and Rajasthan Royals got relegated due to allegations of corruption, fixing and mismanagement, it was banned from IPL for two years, hence as such all the players are available again for auction.

Experts believe that Pune will benefit from MS Dhoni's experience as he has lot to offer for the new Franchisee.

Players were picked by a draft system. Both the teams spend 39 crore each.

Suresh Raina has to his credit 132 Matches in IPL,  scoring 3699 runs  with a strike rate of 140.

Valleyz.Blog

1983 ki India ki World Cup win against West Indies ab tak ki best : Imran

Imran Khan kahtay hain, ki Kapil Dev ki 1983 World Cup win ab tak ki best hai isliye ki, woh jo West Indies ka attack tha us waqt woh world ka best tha.

Sachin se zyaada woh Gavaskar ko high rate isliye kartay hain, kyon ki Gavaskar jo fast bowling ka saamna kiya woh Sachin ne nahi kiya. Us waqt West Indies mein char, char match winners they jaisay kay ek match winner, Australia kay Johnson ne England khilaaf series jita di.

Ek aur sawal par Imran ne kaha kay us waqt West Indies kay paas Char, Char bowlers Holding, Marshall, Garner, Patterson aisay they jo 90 Miles se oopar gend kartay they, jo ki kisi bhi team mein ab tak nahi aisay bowlers aaye, to thoda difficult ho jaata hai different era's ko compare karna. 

Imran ne kaha  Viv Richards aur Ranatunga dono ne yeah suggest kiya ki Abdul Quadir Shane Warne se behtar hai, isliye ki Abdul Quadir kay daur mein front foot par lbw nahi diya jaata tha.

Bradman aur Sobers mein chunnay par Imran ne kaha, unho ne sirf Richards ko dekha to unka maanna hai ki Richards best batsmen unkay khyaal mein.



reValleyz.Blog

Imran ne kaha Gavaskar Sachin se behtar, Australia wins by an innings, Virat Kohli on India win

West Indies ko Australia ne innings aur 212 runs se hara diya, Australia 4/583 declared,  West Indies 223 or 148. Match teesray din hi khatam hogaya. Australia ki taraf se James Pattinson ne 5 wickets liye. West Indies ki tarag se Darren Bravo ne 108 pahli innings mein aur Braithwaite 94 doosri innings mein bana paaye.

Bohot hi kharab performance raha hai West Indies ka batting mein, aur bowling mein bhi woh zyaada kuch nahi kar paaye Agla test Boxing day Test, MCG mein hona hai.

Imran Khan in India

Imran Khan ne kaha kay Sunil Gavaskar Sachin Tendulkar se behtar khiladi hain isliye ki, Gavaskar lillee, thompson, Holding, Marshall, Garner jaisay attack ka saamna kiya. Jo ki easily world ka bohot hi best attack tha us zamaanay ka. 90's mein aakar cricket kaafi badal chuka tha. Sachin ne bhi Akram, Waqar aur McGrath jaisay bowlers ka saamna kiya, lekin Imran ka maan na tha ki Gavaskar is better than Sachin.

Virat Kohli on India win

Virat Kohli ne kaha kay India ne behtar kiya hai, aur unko bohot bura laga sunkar jab unhi kay desh waasiyon ne taanay maaray pitch ko lekar. Virat kay khyaal mein, duniya kay anya grounds par bhi teams kam scores par out hoti hain. Team jab acha karay sarahna karna chahiye.

Valleyz.Blog

India still a formidable opponent at home.

South Africa won the T20 and One day International Series and India are about to clinch the Test series. It has been a mixed bag of luck for both the teams.

When everyone thought that India would put up a strong performance against the South Africans in the shorter formats of the game, the opposite happened, the talent of some of the big hitters of the South Africa team, took the games away from the hosts. 

And when everyone expected a humdinger of a Test series, the visitors were found lacking and went down for some record low scores like 79 all out on typical sub-continental pitches.

I recollect Shaun Pollock mentioning during the course of the match in the ongoing series that South Africans need to play out of their skins now, but the visitors just ran out of strategy.

Through out the series Indian spinners in Ravi Ashwin, Ravindra Jadeja and Amit Mishra have probed the South African batsmen to the hilt and it proved that home team exploited the conditions very well. Imran Tahir did had good stints too.

Ajinkya Rahane was the standout batsmen in the final Test of the match, at a position when India were 200 plus runs for 7 wickets he kept the wicket at the other end and built good partnerships to steer the hosts out of trouble in the first innings that gave Team India a huge leverage against the visitors.

Though this South Africa line up looks bleak without the likes of Graeme Smith, Jacques Kallis both retiring from the game and Dale Steyn and Vernon Philander out due to injury, the new comers have plenty to take home from the Sub Continental tour. Rabada, Harmer, Pleidt have good memories of the series for sure.

On the final day of this memorable tour the visitors would be looking to draw, but it will be a very difficult proposition considering the final day Kotla pitch to achieve that target.

No matter what the result is, India showed that it still remains the formidable opponent at home and Skipper Virat Kohli has one more feather in his cap with this series win.

It will be a series worth remembering for the captains of both the teams who have something to take home for the new year.

Valleyz.Blog