First time in the history of Test cricket 2 consecutive test matches got over within a period of 3 days. First in Ahmedabad and now in Kanpur. The difference was the test in Ahemdabad was won by South Africa whereas the test match in Kanpur by the host India.
India managed to level the series due to a disciplined effort and team work. The debate will always remain whether the pitch favored India. But what was more important that a match needs to be won whether the pitch favours you or not. The match belonged to anybody and the turning point for India in the match was the partnership between Sreesanth and Ishant Sharma.
The first innings lead which India got proved to be crucial since it put a lot of pressure on the South Africans. South Africans started the match well after having won the toss and deciding to bat. After being more than 150 for 1, they lost quick wickets to end the first innings on the first day at 265. Harbajan Singh and Ishant Sharma bowled well and managed to take 3 wickets each. Yuvraj Singh and Virender Sehwag too did a good job with the ball.
The teamwork could be seen in India’s batting too. Saurav Ganguly can however be singled out and deserved the man of the match award for his 87. There were useful contributions by Laxman (50) and Yuvraj and Dhoni who made 32 each. At 9 wicket down and with close of play on the second day India had a lead of 23 runs. It looked India would wind up the day early next morning. But the tail showed some resistance and made a record of the second highest 10th wicket partnership. India thus managed to give a lead of 60 runs which proved costly for the South Africans.
The South African coach Micky Arthur had mentioned at the end of the second day that a lead of 23 runs was not too much, however if the lead extends to 50 runs then it will be crucial. Further he mentioned that if the South African manage to give a score of 150 runs, it would be a difficult chase in the fourth innings.
The fact that India gave a 60 run lead gave them a psychological advantage and put pressure on the South African team and they succumbed to 122 runs. Harbajan Singh used the turning track to his advantage and managed to grab 4 wickets, whereas Sehwag took 3 wickets in the second innings.
India knocked off the 62 runs losing both the openers. Sehwag scored 22 runs which included 2 consecutive sixes getting out trying to hit the third one.
Like I mentioned in my previous post, India always has a psychological advantage when it plays 6 batsmen and a bowler short. In most cases it alteast ensures that India don’t lose the match. In fact if the batsmen perform well then the bowlers get the confidence of taking 20 wickets.
India managed to level the series due to a disciplined effort and team work. The debate will always remain whether the pitch favored India. But what was more important that a match needs to be won whether the pitch favours you or not. The match belonged to anybody and the turning point for India in the match was the partnership between Sreesanth and Ishant Sharma.
The first innings lead which India got proved to be crucial since it put a lot of pressure on the South Africans. South Africans started the match well after having won the toss and deciding to bat. After being more than 150 for 1, they lost quick wickets to end the first innings on the first day at 265. Harbajan Singh and Ishant Sharma bowled well and managed to take 3 wickets each. Yuvraj Singh and Virender Sehwag too did a good job with the ball.
The teamwork could be seen in India’s batting too. Saurav Ganguly can however be singled out and deserved the man of the match award for his 87. There were useful contributions by Laxman (50) and Yuvraj and Dhoni who made 32 each. At 9 wicket down and with close of play on the second day India had a lead of 23 runs. It looked India would wind up the day early next morning. But the tail showed some resistance and made a record of the second highest 10th wicket partnership. India thus managed to give a lead of 60 runs which proved costly for the South Africans.
The South African coach Micky Arthur had mentioned at the end of the second day that a lead of 23 runs was not too much, however if the lead extends to 50 runs then it will be crucial. Further he mentioned that if the South African manage to give a score of 150 runs, it would be a difficult chase in the fourth innings.
The fact that India gave a 60 run lead gave them a psychological advantage and put pressure on the South African team and they succumbed to 122 runs. Harbajan Singh used the turning track to his advantage and managed to grab 4 wickets, whereas Sehwag took 3 wickets in the second innings.
India knocked off the 62 runs losing both the openers. Sehwag scored 22 runs which included 2 consecutive sixes getting out trying to hit the third one.
Like I mentioned in my previous post, India always has a psychological advantage when it plays 6 batsmen and a bowler short. In most cases it alteast ensures that India don’t lose the match. In fact if the batsmen perform well then the bowlers get the confidence of taking 20 wickets.
