The last border is still the last frontier. Team India’s best chance to win a series against South Africa in South Africa had arrived. It was a missed chance. Team India’s cause was harmed by a couple of dubious ball tracking rulings, but it was not the reason for captain Virat Kohli’s side’s loss in a gripping and tense series that saw the game swing back and forth every session.
South Africa’s untested and underappreciated middle-order outperformed India’s once-heralded 3,4,5. Indian pacers were leaking and batters were out of depth during crucial occasions in Johannesburg and Cape Town. Important catches were also missed. After the stunning Centurion loss, South Africa improved their game in crucial situations to maintain their proud home record and win the three-Test series 2-1.
Regardless, this was a memorable series. The Indian squad should be commended for matching the hosts’ performance session after session. They were only let down by a brief lapse in attention at critical moments. The tour has a lot of valuable lessons to offer. One of them is that on hard bouncy fields, memory and reputation will not protect you from top-class quick bowling.
When in doubt, go with the young. Rishabh Pant, who is only 24, played India’s most exciting innings. Shubhman Gill, Hanuma Vihari, Shreyas Iyer, and others from the new generation must be given a chance. It took VVS Laxman 33 innings to score his first Test century. We also need to create another quick bowling all-rounder in addition to Hardik Pandya.
