South Africa beat India clinically in the 2nd Test at the Wanderers. The chase of 240 was expected to be tricky. But the proteas were clinical in the run-chase. They barely broke a sweat chasing the total. In a pitch that played pretty much uneven right throughout, India were found wanting. They came well short against a spirited African side. Here is IND vs SA 2nd Test Day 4 Highlights.
IND vs SA 2nd Test Day 4 Highlights
India lost a golden opportunity to win the series here in Johannesburg itself. The tourists were well below the mark on all days. Their defeat was also a culmination of unforced errors that eventually came to bite them in this Test match.
We look at the reasons behind India’s defeat in the 2nd Test:
#5 Batting failures:
The Indian team’s batting currently doesn’t wear the look of a number 1 Test side. Despite the openers stepping up in recent tours, the middle-order has been virtually non-existent. Winning the toss batting first, India posted a paltry score of 202. This was after the openers who put in decent performances.
Mayank Agarwal and KL Rahul have been top-notch in this series. But the same can’t be said about India’s middle-order. The likes of Cheteshwar Pujara, Ajinkya Rahane, and Rishabh Pant have been pedestrian at best.
#4 Pujara and Rahane’s travails:
Pujara and Rahane have been woefully out of form. They salvaged their careers playing knocks of substance in the 2nd innings. But they have been consistently inconsistent. They have not been able to capitalise on their starts. It will be a concern for the Indian team heading into the third and final Test.
#3 The curious case of Rishabh Pant:
Rishabh Pant has been short of runs ever since his dual success against Australia and England. Pant worryingly has thrown his wicket away way more often. His dismissal in the 2nd innings of this Test was shambolic. It easily cost India 35-40 runs eventually. He is quite experienced in the Test arena. The Indian team management will be expecting better from their talismanic wicketkeeper-batsman.
#2 Over-dependence on bowlers:
The Indian bowlers have long carried the burden of the team on their shoulders. They are the main reason why India are such a gun outfit overseas. But they cannot be counted to win games all on their own match after match. This dependence showed in India’s failed defence of 240 in the fourth innings. They need runs on board to express their plans freely. Currently, they are under immense pressure to deliver.
#1 Discipline
India to be honest lacked discipline across all departments in this Test. They couldn’t convert the starts while batting. Their bowlers were far too impatient. They couldn’t stick to a single line of attack. While less said about their fielding the better. It left a lot to be desired. India will be keen to correct these schoolboy mistakes heading into the deciding Test.
