As everyone and their dogs/cats predicted, Subcontinent kings India are heading for a white wash in the hands of South Africa. This tour shows once again how Indian batsmen are awful outside subcontinent . Not because pitches are behaving badly but mindset and approach with overcautious attitude is defeating them even before a ball is bowled.
This set of players are
- Weak when it comes to playing defense, thanks to T20.
- They may be better players of short pitch deliveries but their fancy modern stance makes them vulnerable when ball keeps low.
- It doesn't help when a captain is arrogant and keep making changes at a whim
India would have won the first test if they have attacked the ball in second innings like it is a T20 game. Instead they succumbed to playing timid defense. Only reason they were even in that game is because of Pandya's T20 like approach in first innings. Thought that would teach them a lesson in second innings but boy was I wrong there or what.
Same story in second test and it didn't help with choice of players either. By keeping Rahane out of both tests was asinine. Leaving their best allrounder (yes!) Bhuvi shows arrogance of this captain. Kohli never won an IPL because he thinks with his balls than brains. That might help him achieve personal records and temporary success but not going to win him trophies.
I still think Rahane / Ashwin / Rohit are better captains than Kohli.
Well India would be lucky to get anything other than a 0-3 in this series.