This is the ultimate review of the Second Test at Kolkata of the India vs. South Africa Jaypee whatever Test Championship Series, a Paddle Sweep exclusive.
Before I begin, let me dwell a little bit on the first test at Nagpur. South Africa arrived here in India with a lot of humility up front and still more confidence beneath the surface.
India were worried about the absence of stalwarts like Yuvraj, Dravid and Laxman. They had some talent on the bench, but they ignored and let guys like Saha and Badrinath play. Vijay as well, but more on him later.
It will be fair to say that India lost the first test on the basis of poor team selection. Retrospect confirms that, but I believe that it holds true without the benefit of retrospect.
Suresh Raina, Che Pujara, Ajinkya Rahane are much better bets in my honest opinion. If you want to buy the fact that Badrinath deserved this selection, then I would say that he deserved it 4 years ago and not now. Sorry to say, but he is past his sell by date.
Murali Vijay is an opener who can block well, and play the cover drive in 3rd gear, but he is certainly susceptible to quality fast bowling, and the only team capable of dishing it out is South Africa. Well done selectors.
I do not want to talk about Saha. And certainly not him doing for India what Jimmy Kamade did for Kenya. NOTHING.
Thus India with just 4 batsmen, lost at Nagpur. The selectors were bagged, and they replaced a fit Laxman for Saha in the second test here at Kolkata. Genius! But what about the other two obvious failures? Badrinath still deserving? There are 2030203408 batsmen deserving in India. Balls!
If I was a selector, Raina would totally have played. I am not such a huge fan of test and odi specialists anyways. A good player is a good player, unless it’s a 3 over a side game. Then I am the best player.
So, India with renewed vigor, faced the mighty conquering RSA at the Eden Gardens, only to see them posting 218/1 with Alviro and Amla getting tons. It seemed all too familiar. Suddenly, someone from the crowd shouted the name of the ground they were playing at.
Harbhajan Singh started reminiscing. Amit Mishra and Zaheer Khan caught on, and the Saffers were bowled out for less than 300.
VVS Laxman was jumping in his seat and waiting for his chance to bat at his favorite ground. Vijay and Badri respected his emotions. But the two gods had other plans, both getting centuries.
When Laxman’s chance finally arrived, he was bored, but still got a century and even blessed Dhoni with one.
The crowd was bored now.
Time for some Harbhajan action in the second innings. And he did not disappoint. First he picked up four wickets. Then he waited till all hope was lost. With one wicket to take and 10 balls left in the day’s play, he got rid of the last man Morkel, thus leaving you-can’t-see-me Amla stranded on more than a 100. India won by an innings. South Africa wanted to sulk, but applauded instead. Officially that is.
Man of the match: the curator at kotla
Man of the series: u cant see me…
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“A good player is a good player, unless it’s a 3 over a side game. Then I am the best player.” hahahaha
.-= Mock Wah´s last blog ..Ind Saf 2nd Test in Pics =-.