India vs South Africa test series has finally ended in a draw, and thanks to Gautam Gambhir’s steady performance, India managed to secure a fair draw against the Proteas in their own nation for the first time. Gambhir, Dravid and Tendulkar, managed to block a lot balls, literally frustrating the South African bowlers out of their wits.

South Africa on the other hand failed to click the Indian wickets because of their strong defensive tactics. It is something the South Africans have witnessed for the first time, that India has impressively withstood their bowling attack on day five. There were hundreds of balls blocked, as India came with a mindset of heading towards a draw before the commencement of fifth day.

It was only for the fact that India managed to pin the African bowlers to the mat, it paved the way for a draw. India played at a pace of two runs an over and this is something that might have annoyed Gramme’s team, still they were heading for draw in any of the circumstances. The test will play an important role as of how has India prepared to take on the South Africans in the coming world cup which will be held in the subcontinent this year.

Source: CricInfo

It was a tense day at Cape Town as the India vs South Africa third test is moving towards a dramatic outcome. Sachin Tendulkar has successfully slammed his 51st test century against the South Africans and Dale Styen on the other hand claimed five wickets. India were not at all looking positive as the third day began, and the Indian batsmen fell consistently against the proteas bowling attack, except Sachin and Harbhajan Singh.

During the second day’s play the highlight for India were Sachin and Gambhir, but after Gambhir was plucked at 93, no other batsmen from the team stood up to their potential. Later Harbhajan Singh and Sachin created a partnership that saved India from trail.

Harbhajan Singh once again performed well and managed to score 40 odd runs, giving India that 2 runs lead against the South African total. Sachin score 141 runs, and was bowled just before he could stare into his 150, but still his contribution has helped everyone. After South Africa commenced their second innings they are 52/2 and it will really be exciting to see how they perform on day four.

Source: CricInfo

Sachin Tendulkar and Gautam Gambhir have once again stood firm against the South African bowling attack, as India lost two wickets in quick successions. South Africa, who were struggling against India, crossed the 300 runs mark with ease, as Jacques Kallis guided them in Cape Town. The all rounder smacked his 39th test century in his career, making him the only all rounder in the world to attain this feat.

South Africa scored 362 runs on the board, and the last 79 runs came by the contribution of the last two batsmen. Just as the Proteas, India too lost two wickets in the beginning of the game, in the form of Sehwag and Dravid.

Sreesanth looked very dangerous against South Africa, and this had pumped some steam among them. But the last two batsmen managed to give South Africa the edge and piled up over 70 runs. During the third day, India will look ahead to outperform the hosts and gain a strong lead, as so they can chase them and win the entire series.

Source: CricInfo

Finally India had a point to smile after the bowlers feasted over the South African batsmen in Durban. The Indian bowlers managed to the pluck the entire Proteas batsmen for a mere 131 runs. It was a shock to everyone that South Africa underperformed against the Indians for the first time this series.

Harbhajan Singh and Zaheer Khan were the highlight of the day, as they dominated the Kingsmead track and made the African’s feel very uncomfortable. For the Indians this was the best time to crawl back into the series, and the Africans were really surprised. Everything was going quite well for South Africa, but the session after lunch was something they will be regretting for a long time.

India finally started to bat, and have decided to provide the South Africans with a decent target to chase. But now India has got into a wobbling start and have lost as many as five wickets for 137 runs. India have earned a lead by more than 200 runs, and after looking at the pitch conditions it seems it will be tough for the South Africans to clinch this match with a decent performance.

Source: CricInfo

India vs South Africa first test in Centurion has finally ended with India’s defeat and the team lost the match by an innings and 25 runs. Despite Sachin Tendulkar’s mind boggling innings and record, the match was way from over and India was staring at defeat before the commencement of day four. At the beginning of the day India were having only two wickets in hand with the master blaster on the other end, but the game ended very soon as Morkel struck hard against the tail enders.

It was from the beginning of the match itself when India lost all its wickets at a very low score and giving South Africa a chance to have a grip over them. South Africa have the lead in the series by 1-0, and the second test is going to be exciting indeed.

The only notable performance seen in the match from the Indian side was the partnership between Mahendra Singh Dhoni and Sachin Tendulkar, who stood on the crease and stockpiled 172 runs. The next test is scheduled to begin on Sunday in Durban, and India will need to practice hard physically and mentally to face the Proteas and win the match.

Source: TimesOfIndia

The first test at Centurion, where India and South Africa have officially locked horns has turned into one of the most exciting matches of the season. Sachin Tendulkar indeed has no definition for his performance, for he has scored the 50th test century in his career at the SuperSport Park. An achievement that could take a really long time to surpassed, the master blaster has jotted his name in history, for being the only person to achieve this feat.

India on the other hand moving down a losing track and this match seems to have slipped from their hands, still trailing by 30 runs and only two wickets in hand, India will need a miracle to survive this game. The Indian batsmen have indeed performed in the second innings but the runs stockpile created by the South Africans is just a bit too much to handle.

South Africa are looking quite confident enough to swipe out this test match, and also are looking forward to claim this series, but India here have shown its mettle as because the first innings conditions were just a bit unfavourable, the team collapsed. Rather the second innings defined why India is called the no.1 test team in the world, for they have survived by being beaten by an innings. To conclude, there is utterly no words for Sachin, he has redefined class and technique of the game, plus created a history that will never be broken by anyone, for now at least.

Source: CricInfo

The first test match played at Centurion between India and South Africa (Ind vs SA), has gone one sided, as the Proteas have comfortably created a mount of runs for the Indian to defend. It was like India had the feeling that the first two days was the worst they had seen, but after the commencement of the third day, every hell was broken loose over India.

Jacques Kallis can now be considered as the best all rounder in the world, as he scored a comfortable double ton against India. India were looking as if they were rookies in this game, and their bowlers were having no effect against the South African batting attack.

Graeme Smith declared their innings at 620/4, a massive run stockpile created by the South Africans, and if they had not to declare, 700+ runs was inevitable. 484 runs, was the figure that India was given as a lead, and now the openers have taken the responsibility to complete this task. But for a moment it should not be forgotten that India have bounced back in the worst of the situations, and South Africa will not let them do so.

Source: CricInfo

Centurion’s SuperSport Park indeed is not turning out to be a lucky avenue for the Indians, as South Africa commenced their innings with a a blast. At first the Indians were bowled out a drastically low score and then the Proteas Batsmen hammered the Indian bowling attack by scoring tons each.

South Africa ended the day with 366 runs on the board, scoring 100’s each, and by the commencement of the third day India will be looking to scalp the two important wickets that it needs. The Proteas are more than 250 runs ahead of India, and India seemed to be quite worried about the fact this test could slipping out of their hand.

After witnessing India’s sloppy performance, Gramme Smith too was surprised that India was bowled out at such a low score. On South Africa’s point of view they have performed exceptionally well against the world No.1 Test Team, and they will be looking ahead to win this series.

Source: CricInfo

The India vs South Africa 1st test match played at Centurion, has turned grotesque for India, as the team’s batting line up has been crushed by the exquisite bowling by the South Africans. As the day began at the SuperSport Park, the most sought rivalry between Virender Sehwag and Dale Styen lasted only for a few deliveries. Sehwag was out facing only three balls, thanks to the unpredictable pitch India now are on a different track.

For the moment India will be trying to save themselves and also their innings, for a low score could be too dangerous for them. India can also be on the verge of losing this game, as all their batsmen have returned to the pavilion except Dhoni.

Sachin Tendulkar too was having a tough time against the Proteas, and later he was clicked out for 36. It was the worst time that the Indian batsmen were actually having in South Africa, and this is indeed reflecting that the match would be in jeopardy. South Africa on the other hand will be aiming to bowl out India on a relatively low score, so that they will not be able to solidify themselves in the test.

Source: CricInfo

The India vs South Africa 1st test match will be commencing on the 16th December at Centurion, but India has found themselves in a very unusual situation as they are going to miss Zaheer Khan during the first game. Zaheer is the spearhead of the Indian bowling attack and has been well known for his exceptional bowling performance in South Africa.

M.S. Dhoni, captain of India made a statement a day before the match saying that they will be making a last minute call before the match, but Zaheer seems to be doubtful for the game. The bowler has been injured because of his Hamstring issue that he has been undergoing for sometime now.

Experts state that they will indeed take a huge gamble to go in without Zaheer, as his bowling is just exquisite and has perfect control of himself, rather of the fact Ishant and Sreesanth will be looking quite dangerous against the Proteas, Zaheer is whole different level. Dhoni lauded his performance and importance in the team, and the injury just before the World Cup is really worrisome.

Source: CricInfo