Tag: India vs South Africa

India’s aspirations of breaking through the “final frontier,” where no Indian team has won a series in the last 31 years, were dashed on Thursday when they lost the opening game of the two-match Test series against South Africa by an innings and 32 runs.

Except for KL Rahul, the Indian batsmen found it difficult to adjust to the bouncing and swinging conditions at the SuperSport Park Cricket Stadium in Centurion. Meanwhile, the Indian bowlers did not apply enough pressure, which allowed the Proteas to post a massive first innings total of over 400 runs.

While telling the new players to be appreciative of the opportunity they have been given, India captain Rohit Sharma was extremely critical of the Indian bowling lineup for giving up too many runs in the opening innings.

After the game, Rohit stated (as cited by PTI) “We gave too many runs and this was not a 400-run wicket.” We sprayed the ball everywhere, but things still happen. We could learn from how South Africa bowled since one cannot rely solely on one bowler (Bumrah); the other three pacers all had to fulfil their tasks.”

The Indian captain was grateful for Jasprit Bumrah’s contribution, too, as he claimed four wickets at an economy rate of less than three per over during the nearly 27 overs bowled. “Bumrah bowled well, and we all know his quality,” Rohit remarked. He only needed a little assistance, which he did not receive. That takes place. All three put in a lot of effort and bent their backs, but the desired outcome was not achieved. However, these kinds of games teach you a lot about what you want to accomplish as a bowling team.”

In addition, Rohit offered some guidance to the young Indian players who had the opportunity to play against South Africa on the big stage: show gratitude and do what’s best for the team. “You should be grateful and come out and do the job for the team when you get the chance,” he remarked. Prasadh Krishna obviously didn’t get along with it, and just as we would all have been anxious when playing our first game, he would have been too.

“These things happen, the guy has game to excel but we will back him and has a great attitude about his game which holds us in good stead going forward.” The skipper of India stated.

With over two days remaining, South Africa defeated the first Test by an innings and 32 runs, shattering Rohit Sharma’s team’s dreams of making history in this country and securing a 1-0 lead in the two-match series.

The second innings for India lasted a mere 34.1 overs.

Earlier, South Africa took a 163 lead after a fantastic innings by Dean Elgar (185, 287b, 28×4). They did this without the services of captain Temba Bavuma, who departed the pitch during the first session of the match due to a hamstring issue.

After that, it was always going to be a tough climb. However, few could have predicted that India would fall so quickly or so dramatically.

India had little chance of stopping pace sensation Kagiso Rabada and his three less experienced teammates. The students and the teacher split the loot.

The South African pacers claimed the wickets of all but one of the Indian hitters, Jasprit Bumrah being run out while trying to score a second run that never happened.

Even though he was a part of the confusion, Virat Kohli (76, 82b, 12×4, 1×6) was powerless to stop the amazing collapse that was happening all around him.

The start of India’s second innings wasn’t great. Once more, Rabada defeated his archenemy, Rohit Sharma, with a stunning stroke that angled in, beat the Indian skipper all the way to the finish, and rattled his stumps.

Yashasvi Jaiswal, who made a great debut in the West Indies earlier this year, is learning a lot about Test match cricket. However, he was also hit hard by a ball that was delivered by Nandre Burger, a left-arm fast who was making his debut. The ball climbed steeply and the opener was unable to remove his gloves.

Burgers are turning out to be a delicious addition to the illustrious history of fast bowling in South Africa. Additionally, he claimed K.L. Rahul, one of the most valuable Indian wickets.

Before Burger created an outside advantage, the centurion could only muster four runs in the first inning. After Rahul was dismissed, only 96 had passed since nearly half of the team had returned to the dressing room.

The scorecard for India was painful to read. Shubman Gill was the only player to score in double figures besides Kohli. Before being thoroughly embarrassed by Marco Jansen, who appeared to have transferred his batting form from earlier in the day to his bowling, his 26-run innings appeared promising.

Jansen scored a career-high 84 not out (147b, 11×4, 1×6), and the Proteas would rely heavily on his 111-run partnership with Elgar. After rejoining at 256 for five at night, the pair persisted in frustrating the Indian bowlers, Bumrah foremost among them.

He bowled exceptionally effectively to collect four for 69 in his first Test match in more than a year and a half. But the bowlers from South Africa would soon surpass him.

On Wednesday, the sun hardly appeared. That was insignificant, though, as two brilliant hundreds illuminated the SuperSport Park on the second day of the first Test.

If India appeared to have posted a respectable total in the earlier part of the day thanks to K.L. Rahul (101, 137b, 14×4, 4×6), Dean Elgar (140 batting, 211b, 23×4) made sure South Africa was ahead. At stumps, the advantage was eleven for the host, who was 256 for five.

Covers on the ground had welcomed the players earlier, but it only took 25 minutes for cricket to start. Rahul was had to remain longer at the difficult wicket for India, which came back in at 208 for eight. He carried that out with flair.

Similar to what Pat Cummins has been doing lately, his teammate Mohammed Siraj held on for a long. When the seamer, who contributed five runs, was caught behind off Gerald Coetzee, their ninth wicket partnership was worth 47.

In order to get his hundred, Rahul now required some assistance from Prasidh Krishna, a rookie and colleague from Karnataka. He complied, and the two quickly parted ways, setting Rahul up for another confrontation with Coetzee.

He achieved his hundred by swinging the youthful fast ball over mid-wicket for a six off the final ball of the over. Rahul has scored his second hundred in as many Tests at Centurion, and it appears that this venue is for him what Lord’s was for Dilip Vengsarkar.

And that should rank among his worst career setbacks. He performed superbly against a dangerous Kagiso Rabada on a challenging ground in challenging circumstances, supported by three other pacers, and with the Indian innings in poor shape.

He made excellent defensive plays, chose the appropriate balls to hit, and executed his hits with impressive control. His century came two years ago as an opener, and he is now a middle-order, wicketkeeper batsman, demonstrating his adaptability.

Rahul may not have astonished anybody with his flare and fluidity. A number of people were taken aback by Elgar’s desire to score and the regularity of his fluid drives, though.

At the conclusion of the series, the opener has declared his retirement from international cricket. The 36-year-old still had some cricket left in him based on the manner he batted. The fact that he was able to secure a Test century at his home ground at last should provide him special satisfaction.

Not all Proteas batters displayed as beautiful strokeplay as he did. David Bedingham, making his debut, batted well as well (56, 87b, 7×4, 2×6). It has taken him 86 First Class matches to be granted this chance.

Bedingham may have been taken into consideration sooner, based on his innings. As he and Elgar put up 131 runs for the fourth wicket, he exuded confidence and comfort.

Siraj gave India a head start by forcing Aiden Markram to edge a delivery that was moving away too late. Then, with Keegan Petersen playing on, Jasprit Bumrah got Tony de Zorzi, who had just emerged victorious from the ODI series, caught at slip. For India, the delight was short-lived.

Before rain stopped play on Day 1, KL Rahul showed incredible fortitude by leading India to 208/8 with the tail of the bat. His brave fifty-five put the score over 200, an impressive achievement when hitting 150 looked difficult. Unfortunately, bad light and rain eventually dashed India’s hopes of a resumed play and forced early stumps on Day 1 amidst unrelenting deluge.

On the first day of the Boxing Day Test against India, South Africa had a strong start. India was put to bat first after they had won the toss. In the first eleven overs, India lost their top three players. Since then, Virat Kohli and Shreyas Iyer have both been caught. The two got comfortable with their innings and helped India reach lunch. At the end of the first session, the score was 91/3, and Kohli and Iyer’s partnership was at 67 off 89 balls. Rain was predicted, so it was anticipated to be a sporadic day, but the sun was shining at SuperSport Park.

After lunch, Rabada upset the Indian batting order by quickly dismissing Iyer and then Kohli. To reach his four-wicket total, he then removed Ashwin from the game. Since Gerald Coetzee and Marco Jansen have found it difficult to maintain the same level of play, India benefited from Rahul and Shardul Thakur sucking runs off the duo while Rabada had a break. But Rabada came back, and in his opening over, he dismissed Thakur. Rahul then carried India through to tea by rotating strikes with Bumrah. On the first day, India was 176/7 at Tea after 50 overs, with Rahul scoring 39 off 71.

With two fours and a six off the final two balls of the 52nd over, Rahul reached his half-century with style early in the third session. Wet areas across the field earlier in the day caused a 45-minute delay in the toss.

In South Africa, winning is not easy. For India, things become harder. Their spinners seldom ever make an impression in these conditions, and their hitters have one of the worst records here. They have never prevailed in a Test series in South Africa as a team. India has played 23 Test matches in South Africa since 1996, winning just four of them and never more than once in a series.

They are still the third-most successful side in South Africa, behind England and Australia, despite this. Playing South Africa in South Africa is that difficult. Having said that, India has nearly always outperformed South Africa throughout their tours here over the past ten years or so. Many thought India was the stronger of the two teams when they visited there the previous time. They performed admirably as well, but South Africa’s comeback in the fourth innings prevented India from winning the series twice.

Rahul completed his century on Day 2, he scored 101 in 137 balls and India scored 245 runs in the first innings.

India defeated South Africa by 78 runs on Thursday at Boland Park in Paarl, clinching the three-match ODI series 2-1, thanks to Sanju Samson’s first-ever century in international cricket and Arshdeep Singh’s four-wicket haul.

South Africa was off to a great start chasing 297 after Reeza Hendricks and Tony de Zorzi quickly put up a 59-run opening stand. Hendricks was then forced to play away from his body by Arshdeep, who then edged a catch behind the wicketkeeper.

Even though de Zorzi kept up his impressive form, Washington Sundar and Axar Patel’s spin duo defeated Aiden Markram and Rassie van der Dussen, respectively.

Then, Arshdeep used a yorker to trap de Zorzi up front. Hard-hitters Heinrich Klaasen and David Miller failed to score runs as South Africa lost its final six wickets for a mere 57 runs.

Rajat Patidar, making his batting debut, was off the blocks fast earlier. In the course of three deliveries, he destroyed Nandre Burger for a six and a four before being cleaned up in the same over.

Shortly after, Sai Sudharsan, fresh off two consecutive half-centuries, lost his life. During their 52-run partnership for the third wicket, Samson and captain KL Rahul steadied the ship. After Rahul left, Tilak Varma teamed up with Samson, and the left-hander scored his first fifty runs in an ODI.

After a sluggish start, Samson quickly picked up speed to score a century off of 110 balls and put India on track for a respectable total. With a blistering 27-ball 38, Rinku Singh contributed to the visitor’s match-winning total.

In the first One-Day International at the Wanderers here on Sunday, the KL Rahul-led visitors crushed South Africa by eight wickets with to the devastating bowling of India’s Arshdeep Singh and Avesh Khan.

The Proteas were bowled for a pitiful 116 in 27.3 overs thanks to a pitch that offered pace and bounce to the quicks. Avesh recorded statistics of 4 for 27 in his eight overs, while left-armer Arshdeep had outstanding figures of 5 for 37 in 10 overs.

Following their magnificent half century, Sai Sudharsan (55 not out) and Shreyas Iyer (52) managed to chase down the score in 16.4 overs at a cost of two wickets.

B Sai Sudharsan, a 22-year-old batsman in the top order for India, and Nandre Burger, a bowling all-rounder for South Africa, received their first debuts, respectively.

The Proteas lost steam while they were batting first and continued to lose wickets. Arshdeep Singh of India claimed one wicket, while Avesh Khan claimed four. Kuldeep Yadav uses his signature flair to cap up the Proteas’ innings. India now has to score 117 runs to win after the Proteas could only muster 116 runs in 27.3 overs.

Earlier, Hendricks and Dussen were removed by Arshdeep Singh in the second over as neither batsman was able to score a run.

As South Africa appeared to be gathering steam, Arshdeep removed Zorzi (28) with the fifth ball of the eighth over, caught by KL Rahul. On the final ball of the tenth over, Arshdeep Singh removed Klaasen by hitting his stumps.

The Proteas captain Aiden Markram (12) was then removed by Avesh Khan on the first delivery of the eleventh over, and on the following delivery, Wiaan Mulder was removed for a golden duck. Subsequently, he dismisses David Miller (2) on the last delivery of the 13th over, and Keshav Maharaj (4) on the opening delivery of the 17th over. For him, this is also his fourth wicket.

On the first ball of the 26th over, Arshdeep Singh takes Andile Phehlukwayo (33) by leg before wicket (LBW). This is his final over. For him, this is his fifth wicket.

After being summoned back to complete the Proteas’ innings, Kuldeep Yadav does it in style in the 28th over, smashing the latter’s stumps and ending SA’s innings.

Tony de Zorzi (28 runs) and Andile Phehlukwayo (33) had the highest run totals for South Africa. Other than these two individuals, no other hitter was able to score more than fifteen runs.

The youthful Team India takes on South Africa in today’s ODI match after wrapping off the T20 international series with a bang. The Indian cricket team is being led by KL Rahul while key players like Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma are away. With Aiden Markram leading the way, the South African squad is likewise rather youthful.

Some key players, including Yuzvendra Chahal, Sanju Samson, and KL Rahul, are returning for the ODI series.

Captain KL Rahul had stated, “Sanju will bat in the middle order,” in reference to Samson. Every time he has participated in an ODI cricket match, he has performed that role.”

“He’ll bat fifth or sixth. I’m going to keep wickets for the time being, but if he has a chance to fill that position later in the series, he will most certainly do so.”

Due to a medical problem in his family, Deepak Chahar was forced to withdraw just before the opening ODI match against South Africa. The BCCI has chosen to use Akash Deep in lieu of the pacer.

Reeza Hendricks’ Six-Fest Lifts Proteas

In a match interrupted by rain, South Africa’s opener Reeza Hendricks hit several stunning sixes to help the Proteas overcome India by 5 wickets. India made a brief comeback in the middle orders against the South African batting order, which was dominating from the first ball till Andile Phehlukwayo hammered the winning six.

Rain Alters Dynamics: Proteas Chase 152 in 15 Overs

The India-South Africa second Twenty20 match was interrupted by rain nearly at the conclusion of the Indian innings. The playing conditions changed when the rain eventually ceased, and South Africa now needs 152 runs in 15 overs.

In the second Twenty20 Twenty50 match between India and South Africa, here on Tuesday, Rinku Singh improved his reputation as a finisher with his first half-century, while captain Suryakumar Yadav performed in his own unique style to lead his team to 180 for seven.

Surya’s Dominance: Partnerships and Six-Hitting Display

After Surya (56 off 36) led the way and had excellent partnerships with Tilak Varma (29 off 20) and Rinku (68 not out off 39), India lost Yashasvi Jaiswal and Shubman Gill for six runs when they batted.

With three balls remaining in the innings and Gerald Coetzee on a hat-trick after dismissing Arshdeep Singh and Ravindra Jadeja in back-to-back deliveries, rain finally made its way to St George’s Park.

Rinku, who was playing for the first time in South Africa, took a little to get into his game but then played the pitch brilliantly. During his well-paced innings, he struck two sixes and four fours against Aiden Markram, making his square of the wicket strokes stand out.

Varma, who came in at number three, looked strong in the middle until the sixth over, when he was caught at deep third man.

A 70-run stand between Surya and Rinku ensued. Surya performed as he normally does, scoring most of his runs when he was behind the wicket.

As he moved inside the ball’s line to send it over the ropes, he hit three sixes. One was over midwicket, while the other two were in the fine leg area.

India’s start was less than ideal as they lost both Jaiswal and Gill in the first two overs.

Jaiswal was wonderfully grabbed at backward point by David Miller after he was unable to manage the cut short against Marco Jansen.

Two balls later, Varma may have left in a similar manner, but Miller was unable to use that brief opportunity.

Lizaad Williams grabbed the ball to nip back from length, trapping Gillll in front.

The Indian batsmen continued to bat aggressively in spite of the initial pressure.

The second match of the T20 international series between India and South Africa will take place in Gqeberha, formerly known as Port Elizabeth, on December 12. The second Twenty20 cricket match at Gqeberha is also clouded in uncertainty due to the looming threat of rain, following the first Twenty20I cricket match at Kingsmead in Durban on Sunday. The game is set to begin at 8.30 p.m. IST.

Indian squad for 2nd T20 match: Probable playing XI

Suryakumar Yadav (capt), Yashasvi Jaiswal, Shubman Gill/Ruturaj Gaikwad, Shreyas Iyer, Rinku Singh, Jitesh Sharma (wk), Ravindra Jadeja, Deepak Chahar/Mukesh Kumar, Kuldeep Yadav/Ravi Bishnoi, Mohammed Siraj, Arshdeep Singh.

South African squad for 2nd T20 match: Probable playing XI

Aiden Markam (capt), Reeza Hendricks, Matthew Breetzke, Tristan Stubbs/Heinrich Klaasen (wk), David Miller, Donovan Ferreira, Marco Jansen/Andile Phehlukwayo, Keshav Maharaj, Gerald Coetzee, Nandre Burger, Tabraiz Shamsi

India vs South Africa 2nd T20 international: Weather Prediction

Gqeberha is expected to experience cloudy skies and a few showers. There is an 84% chance of rain during the day and 6% chance at night, according to AccuWeather.

There is a 17% chance of thunderstorms in the city. The temperature is predicted to be between 21 and 14 degrees Celsius, with winds blowing at 9 km/h in the south-east direction at night and about 26 km/h in the south-south-west direction during the day.

Gusts of wind can reach speeds of up to 70 km/h during the day and 28 km/h at night. Cloud cover is likely to occur 86% of the time during the day and 73% of the time at night.

India vs South Africa 2nd T20I: When and where to watch

The Disney+Hotstar app and website will have the India vs. South Africa second T20 match starting at 8:30 p.m. IST.

India’s Tour of South Africa 2023:

India will play two Test matches, three ODIs, and three T20 internationals during this tour of South Africa.

Due to severe rain in Durban, the first Twenty20 international of India’s tour of South Africa was cancelled. As required by the rules, Cricket South Africa waited until the very last minute, but when the rain didn’t seem to be stopping, the cricket board ultimately opted to call off the match.

Rain greets the young Team India in Durban, causing the first T20 international toss to be postponed. The spectators are pleading to the rain gods to let the game begin as soon as possible while the coverings are on the pitch.

India, captained by Suryakumar Yadav, will play the Proteas in the three-match Twenty20 International series.

Having defeated the Australians in their backyard in the series, the Indians approach the game with a lot of confidence. Surya and the team won’t, however, be overly comforted by their victory on home soil because it was against a reduced Australian lineup right after the World Cup, and India’s batting-friendly conditions aided their batsmen’s style.

Playing in South Africa, however, will be a completely other ball game because Indian batters, particularly those like Shreyas Iyer, may once again be tested on their susceptibility to the short ball due to the swinging and seaming conditions in the SENA nation.

Ahead of the 2024 T20 World Cup, which is less than six months away, several players will have the chance to simply lock up their spot in the India T20 XI. Players who have shown signs of improvement, including Rinku Singh, Jitesh Sharma, Ishan Kishan, and Shreyas Iyer, will need to keep up their strong play to convince the selectors.

Experienced pacer Kagiso Rabada will not be available for the Proteas due to injury, but other pacers like Gerald Coetzee, Marco Jansen, and Lungi Ngidi will be available to play domestic 4-day cricket following the second T20I.

The second T20 is scheduled for tomorrow 11/12/23.

KL Rahul has been named captain of the Indian side for the three-match ODI series against the Proteas by the BCCI. In Durban, the series will kick up on December 10.

The BCCI confirmed in a press statement on November 30 that power hitter Suryakumar Yadav, who is currently leading the Indian cricket team in the five-match Twenty20 International series against Australia, will continue to captain the side in the shortest format for the three-match series against South Africa.

Meanwhile, BCCI Secretary Jay Shah announced that Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma, two of the country’s top players, had asked the Board that they postpone from the white-ball portion of the tour. The board also disclosed to us that Mohammed Shami is presently receiving medical attention, and his availability is contingent upon his level of fitness. But Rohit and Kohli will be back for the Tests.

After the current T20I series against Australia, Suryakumar will take over as captain since Hardik Pandya, who took the lead in the format following the T20 World Cup last year, is still sidelined due to an ankle injury he sustained during the most recent ODI World Cup.

After losing to England in the semi-finals of the T20 World Cup in Adelaide last year, both Kohli and Rohit have not participated in any T20 Internationals.

Shubman Gill, Ravindra Jadeja, Kuldeep Yadav, and Mohammed Siraj have all returned to the T20I team for the South Africa tour, having had a break from the ongoing T20I series against Australia, which began just four days after the World Cup final against the same opponents. Shivam Dube, Avesh Khan, Axar Patel, and Prasidh Krishna are the players who make room for them. Nonetheless, Prasidh plays for the Test team, while Axar and Avesh are members of the ODI team.

With the return of Jadeja, Chahar, Kuldeep, and Siraj, the bowling attack will have a lot more experience for the T20Is, even though the batting lineup is mostly same. This could be a sign of what the team management and selectors are considering for the T20 World Cup, which is less than six months away.

With only Rahul, Shreyas Iyer, and Kuldeep remaining from the ODI World Cup roster, the ODI team sees many more changes. While Rajat Patidar was called up after being included in the team earlier this year against New Zealand as a replacement for Iyer but not getting a game, Rinku Singh and B Sai Sudharsan received their first ODI call-ups. Along with Deepak Chahar, who recently returned to the T20I lineup for the Australia series, Yuzvendra Chahal, Sanju Samson, Ruturaj Gaikwad, Tilak Varma, Washington Sundar, Mukesh Kumar, Avesh, and Arshdeep Singh were all back in the ODI squad.

In the past week, Chahal has taken nine wickets for Haryana in four one-day matches for the Vijay Hazare Trophy, including a six-for against Uttarakhand. Samson, who is also playing for Kerala in the competition, has only scored 101 runs at an average of 25.25 in four innings, with just one fifty to his record.

The BCCI announcement did not reveal the vice-captain for the ODI team, in contrast to the Test and T20I selections.

Following Pandya’s injury, Rahul captained the Indian ODI team in nine matches, the first of which took place in South Africa early in 2022 and saw India destroyed 3-0. Rahul served as vice captain of the team throughout the World Cup. Later that year, Rahul led India to victory in a 3-0 series in Zimbabwe. In three previous One-Day Internationals (ODIs) that India won, one in Bangladesh in December of last year and two at home against Australia before to the most recent World Cup, he captained the team in Rohit’s absence.

Rahul has been an important middle-order batsman for India, primarily at No. 5, since making his ODI side comeback for the Asia Cup in September following a protracted injury absence. In 16 innings since his comeback, he has hit at 92.54 and averaged 75.70, with two hundreds and four half-centuries.

The day after the BCCI extended Rahul Dravid’s term as head coach, which had ended after India’s loss to Australia in the World Cup final in Ahmedabad, the team announced for the T20I, ODI, and Test tour to South Africa.

With the exception of IPL2024, India has just six more Twenty20 international matches left before the T20 World Cup in 2024, following the conclusion of their current five-match Twenty20 international series against Australia on December 3. On December 10, 12, and 14 they play three matches in South Africa; in January of the following year, they host three matches against Afghanistan.

On December 10, 12, and 14, respectively, India will play three Twenty20 Internationals in Durban, Johannesburg, and Gqeberha.

After that, the Indian squad will play three One-Day Internationals (ODIs) against the Proteas in Johannesburg, Gqeberha, and Paarl on December 17, 19, and 21.

The Indian Team and the Proteas will play two tests later. The first Test will take place in Centurion from December 26 to December 30. However, the second test will take place in Cape Town from January 3 to January 7.