Although India is the number-one ranked Test team in the world, there is a question mark on India’s ability to win test series on foreign soil, especially against the likes of http://www.senore.com/Cricket/Australia-c746, South Africa and England. The situation in the 1st Test
of the series against South Africa has not been different so far to what it has been in history. Indian batsmen have struggled against the rising ball and as a result, South Africa is in the driving seat. At the close of play on day-2, http://www.senore.com/Cricket/South-Africa-c757 was leading
by 230 runs with 8 wickets in hand.
The start of the first days' play was delayed due to heavy rain but the ground-staff worked efficiently to make the play possible. However, only 38.1 overs were possible on the 1st day. Graeme Smith won the toss at the Super Sport Park, Centurion and
as expected invited India to bat first. However, the track was green and had a lot of moisture in it initially. India gave Test Cap to the young left arm fast bowler http://www.senore.com/Cricket/Jaidev-Unadkat-c1626 as Zaheer Khan was not able to overcome his injury.
The plan worked for South Africa as the visitors were bowled out for a mere total of 136 runs. Indian batsmen struggled to cope with the bounce and the movement that was on offer on this pitch. Sachin Tendulkar was the top-scorer for India with a quick-fire
36 of only 34 balls in which he struck 8 boundaries. At one stage, India were 6 down for only 71 runs on the board when Harbhajan Singh and http://www.senore.com/Cricket/India-c750. Harbhajan was playing with complete freedom before he was unlucky to get run
out on 27 which included 4 fours and a six.
The South African bowling was led by http://www.senore.com/Cricket/Gautam-Gambhir-c58623 who was lucky to survive a
caught-behind appeal before he was caught in the first slip by Paul Harris. http://www.senore.com/Cricket/Dale-c52110 Steyn took 3 wickets for the home team and looked in good rhythm.
In reply, South Africa started of carefully but gradually increased the run-rate. Graeme Smith and Alvero Peterson batted in a manner that was quite demoralizing for the Indian team. Both of them accumulated 111 runs for the 1st wicket before
Graeme Smith was caught behind of the bowling of Harbhajan Singh. Smith scored 62 of only 87 balls with 11 boundaries. Alevero Peterson played superbly for his 77 runs which came of 114 balls in which he struck 9 fours and a six. He was caught at short leg
as Harbhajan took his second wicket.
However, the worse was yet to come for the Indians as two run-machines combined to throw India completely out of the game. Both Hashim Amla and Jaques Kallis scored hundreds and are still at the crease. They have already scored 200 runs for the 3rd
wicket partnership and look set to get many more. Amla will start his innings tomorrow at 116 not out, whereas, Kallis will resume at unbeaten 102 runs.
Unless the weather intervenes, only a miracle can save India from defeat in this Test match, which is going to further question its abilities to win Test matches on foreign soil and the credibility of ICC ranking system.
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