First Test between India and South Africa ends in a thrilling draw

December 23, 2013

India_and_South_AfricaJohannesburg, Dec 23: In the end, there were no upsets. Neither team lost. The first Test, the dying moments of which can only be described as nerve-jangling, ended with South Africa staring at the finish line. But they chose not to cross it. India didn’t mind that. And they will go into the series decider in Durban with a sense of one-upmanship.

Talk of historic contests and the one played out at the Wanderers will probably top the charts. Faf du Plessis and AB de Villiers, both batsmen who seldom treated the 458-run target like an insurmountable mountain, took the Proteas within inches of the summit. But they tripped, only for their mates to call off the mission. Their 205-run stand, the highest-ever in the fourth innings of a Test, came off 62.3 overs. South Africa finished with 450/7, just a couple of fours away from scripting the most memorable and record-breaking win in the game’s 136-year history.

With 56 required off 12.5 overs, de Villiers fell to Ishant Sharma, the ball dragging onto the stumps. Mind you, South Africa had begun the day with 320 runs to get with eight wickets intact.

They came this close, and got even closer (16 off three overs), but failed to push for the win. Was it because an unfit Morne Morkel was padded up next? Perhaps. And when Dale Steyn hit Mohammed Shami for a six off the last ball of the match, the raucous crowd booed him as if he were a traitor. It was as though their team had lost. In some ways, they had.

The partnership between du Plessis and de Villiers was one for the ages. Matching each other stroke for stroke, they got to their hundreds within 20 minutes of each other. While the former digged in, the latter attacked.

JP Duminy, who walked in at the fall of de Villiers, got off the mark with a straight drive off Mohammad Shami. But soon, the left-hander fell to the same bowler, again playing on. South Africa were still in the hunt. And that’s because du Plessis was there. Last year, he had saved a Test match in Adelaide. It was his debut. This time, he was looking to win it. But a superb throw from Ajinkya Rahane, stationed at mid-off, did him in. The Proteas were now looking to save the game, not win it.

Vernon Philander, who went on the offensive in the presence of du Plessis, mellowed down when Dale Steyn joined him. That the Indians, especially Zaheer Khan, were giving nothing away, contributed to this. Shami, who bowled the 87th over of the day, couldn’t have come up with a better maiden. With two overs to go and 16 needed, Khan did just what Dhoni wanted. It was his first maiden of the innings and it came after 34 overs. When Shami began the final over of the greatest run chase ever, all four results were possible. But God was kind. Neither team lost.

Earlier, Khan had dismissed Jacques Kallis in controversial fashion –– a huge inside-edge –– to pick up his 300th Test wicket. He became only the fourth Indian to do so after Kapil Dev, Anil Kumble and Harbhajan Singh. India had also got Alviro Petersen out early. But du Plessis and de Villiers kept India waiting. From a winning position, India found themselves in the jaws of defeat, only to pull off a deserving draw.

Zaheer enters 300 club

Zaheer Khan on Sunday became the fourth Indian bowler to claim 300 wickets in Tests when he got Jacques Kallis LBW in the 61st over of the South African second innings at the Wanderers.

The left-arm pacer joined Anil Kumble (619), Kapil Dev (434), and Harbhajan Singh (413) in the elite list. He is the 27th overall in all-time highest wicket-takers’ list. He also becomes the most successful left-arm fast bowler after Pakistan’s Wasim Akram (414) and Sri Lanka’s Chaminda Vaas (355).

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News Network
February 12,2020

Mount Maunganui, Feb 12: India captain Virat Kohli on Tuesday berated his bowlers for their mediocre performance as he tried to explain the team's first ODI series whitewash in over three decades, saying that the visitors lacked composure all through.

The five-wicket defeat here meant that India lost the series 0-3 to an injury-plagued New Zealand that had been deflated by a 0-5 whitewash of its own in the T20 format just last week. It was India's first whitewash in 31 years in an ODI series in which all matches have been played.

"The games were not as bad as the scoreline suggests. It boils down to those chances that we didn't grab. I don't think it was not enough to win games in international cricket," Kohli said in the post-match presentation.

"With the ball, we were not able to make breakthroughs, we were not at all good on the field. We haven't played so badly but when you don't grab those chances, you don't deserve to win," he added.

"Batsmen coming back from tough situations was a positive sign for us, but the way we fielded and bowled, the composure wasn't enough to win games," he asserted.

The ineffectiveness of Indian bowlers can be gauged from the fact that the team's pace spearhead Jasprit Bumrah finished the series without a wicket and the attack couldn't dismiss the complete rival line-up even once.

Kohli lauded New Zealand for bouncing back after the T20 hammering.

"New Zealand played with lot more intensity. We didn't deserve to win because we did not show enough composure," he said.

The batting mainstay is looking forward to the Test series, which begins on February 21, to make amends for the disappointment.

"I think because of the Test Championship, every match has that more importance. We have a really balanced Test team and we feel we can win the series here, but we need to step on to the park with the right kind of mindset," he said.

His opposite number Kane Williamson, who missed the first two games due to injury, was lavish in his praise for the home team's grit.

"An outstanding performance, very clinical. India put us under pressure, but the way the guys fought back with the ball and kept them to a par total. The cricket in the second half was outstanding to see," he said referring to the side's effortless chase of a 297-run target.

"We know how good they (India) are at all formats but for us the clarity about the roles the guys had was the most important thing. Outstanding effort against a brilliant India side," he added.

Player of the Match Henry Nicholls, who scored 80 on Tuesday, said his team benefitted from good batting starts during the series.

"To come back and win 3-0 after the T20Is is nice. The way (Martin) Guptill played today allowed us to get ahead. We got a 100-run stand, but we were fortunate enough to get good starts this series," he said.

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News Network
June 30,2020

Malabar, Jun 30: I-League club Gokulam Kerala's former assistant manager Muhammad Alloush on Monday died due to COVID-19. He was 44.

Alloush, who was with the football club in its inaugural season, was working as technical director at Egyptian club Tanta SC at the time of his demise.

Alloush's mother had also succumbed due to the deadly virus earlier.

"We're deeply saddened by the death of our former assistant manager Muhammad Alloush, aged 44, after contracting Covid_19. The thoughts of everybody at Gokulam Kerala Football Club are with Alloush's family and friends at this sad time. Rest in peace, Alloush," Gokulam Kerala FC tweeted.

Meanwhile, with a spike of 18,522 COVID-19 cases in the last 24 hours, India's coronavirus count stands at 5,66,840, said the Union Health and Family Welfare Ministry on Tuesday.

According to the Ministry, 418 deaths due to COVID-19 were reported in the last 24 hours. The number of deaths in the country now stands at 16,893.

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News Network
April 30,2020

New Delhi, Apr 30: India and Delhi Capitals batsman Ajinkya Rahane won't mind playing the IPL in empty stadiums if it ensures the safety of the fans.

Speaking in an Instagram Live session arranged by Delhi Capitals, Rahane said: "COVID-19 pandemic has taught everyone that unexpected things can happen, therefore we need to be happy about what we are doing, and should value what we have.

"As for IPL or any other sport, I feel it could be played without spectators. All of us have played domestic cricket in almost empty stadiums, so that’s an experience all cricketers are used to."

"Of course we are nothing without our fans, and that’s why their safety is of utmost importance. Even if they get to watch some Live action from home, I am sure that will be an enjoyable experience as well. The safety of fans is key, and if we need to play in empty stadiums for that, we are open to do it,” Rahane said. IPL 2020 has been indefinitely postponed due the COVID-19 pandemic but there is a possibility that it is played behind closed doors in September.

Speaking on how he has been spending time during the nationwide lockdown, India's Test specialist said he is enjoying bonding with his wife and daughter.

"I'm trying to be as positive as possible during this lockdown, and staying at home with my wife and daughter. It's given me an opportunity to bond with them, and I am also able to help my wife in cooking and cleaning.

"I'm also trying to revive my karate skills, something that I pursued as a child. It definitely helps me in maintaining my agility and fitness, and I am enjoying it a lot," said the 31-year-old.

The experienced middle-order batsman was bought by Delhi Capitals last year before the IPL Auction, and says he is really excited about playing for the franchise.

"It is something I've really been eager about, and it has stemmed in because of the things I've heard about the team from the likes of Ishant, Shikhar, and Shreyas. They’ve told me that it's like a huge family where everyone is always backing each other, and enjoying each other's successes," he said.

Talking about his excitement on playing under head coach Ricky Ponting, Rahane said he has always admired the Australian legend.

"My idols growing up were definitely Rahul Sir and Sachin Sir, but I've always admired Ricky Sir also. I used to try to copy his batting and fielding styles. And therefore, I'm really looking forward to working under him. I'm sure he will help me immensely in my batting as well as overall leadership,” said the former captain of Rajasthan Royals.

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