Can India Grab a Victory in SA PITCH?
After accomplishing the ODI series, South Africa and India are aiming for the test trophy which will be judged within a few days.
Online, December 27, 2013 (Newswire.com) - The first match went with full of excitements and tension able moments in the final day which favoured both the teams for the victory. Also, there was a bright chance for the Proteas to win the match with the lower orders Philander and Dale Steyn at the crease.
But in the end, the Indian bowlers didn't make way for the opponent batsmen to get near to the target and as a result, the first match has been drawn which made the second test to be a decider.
With much expectation, the second test match began on the Boxing Day at Durban where India won the toss and elected to bat first. Ashwin was given rest and Jadeja replaced him reacting to the pitch conditions.
Also in the South African line-up, Morne Morkel was recovered well and is fully fit to participate in the game which made the Hosts more powerful in the bowling department. Steyn, who is in aggressive form, will also make the game favour for his side.
Coming to the Indian side, with more criticisms due to the ODI series defeat against South Africa, the visiting trouble are in must win situation to grab at least the test series by 1-0.
Hoping for a better game, India started the innings with the openers Murali Vijay and Shikhar Dhawan. They started off well but the opening partnership didn't exceed for a long time as Dhawan sacrificed his wicket by not timing the ball well and edged it to the third slip for a simple catch.
The recovered man was the wicket taker but that was the only wicket to be blown on the first day play. Pujara, who came next, partnered Vijay for the second wicket and made his half century with his steady knocks. Vijay, on the other end, scored 91 which includes 17 boundaries and is aiming for his ton to be made on Day 2.
Things didn't go to plan for South Africa right from the outset. Also, Steyn and Morkel managed to apply some pressure on the batsmen but it doesn't work out as expected. Finally, the weather gave a helping hand for the home side to stop the run flow temporarily.
Due to the bad light, the umpires decided to call off the day hoping for an early start on the remaining days to equalise the overs left to be bowled on the opening day. So, at stumps day 1, India made 181/1 and are in a strong position to battle. While, South Africa need to get some early wickets in the second day to restrict India from getting through great heights.