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Tag: India

Bumrah’s Five-For Gives India the Advantage

Posted on by cbtfhome

On day 2 of the last and deciding test match between India and South Africa in Cape Town, South Africa started out on the pitch with bat in hand as they tried to chase down the target set by India at 223 runs.

The Indian bowling line-up did pick up wickets regularly between the start and the second innings as they took out Makram, Keshav Maharaj and Dussen. However, the biggest wicket came when India managed to get Buvuma as Petersen was left on the pitch without any good partners to back him up. This followed a batting crumble as India took the upper hand by stopping South Africa from getting to the target. South Africa lost their wickets with 14 runs still to get as India were called back to bat.

The bowling performance by India was incredible. With the likes of Yadav and Shami getting a couple of wickets each and Lord Thakur getting one of his own, Bumrah led the pack with his insane five-for which included the wickets of Elgar, Makram, Jansen, Petersen and Ngidi.

The Indian batting line up started as usual with Agarwal and Rahul at the top. This time around however the opening bowlers knew what to do and quickly got the two opening wickets. However, captain Kohli and the modern wall Pujara held down the fort for India as they ended the day at 57 runs for the loss of 2 wickets. India now have a lead of 70 runs as they begin Day 3.

Kohli Returns to the Pitch as India Look to Create History

Posted on by cbtfhome

India’s test captain Virat Kohli is back at full fitness and has been medically cleared to play at the Cape Town test match between South Africa and India.

After sitting out of the second test match between the two sides in Johannesburg, Kohli is now resuming his test campaign as India stand with a chance to create history in South Africa this week.

India have never beaten South Africa in their house when it comes to test series. However, with a team like the current team, India have never had a better chance. With Pujara and Rahane seemingly pulling out their forms out of their bags again, it looks like India just might take home the big win and finally add South Africa to the list alongside Australia and England (countries they recently beat in away series).

“I obviously cannot pinpoint when we will have a talk about transition,” Kohli said, when asked whether the team management had had any conversations about a longer-term transition in the middle order. “I think the game itself pans out in a way where transitions happen naturally, so it cannot be forced by individuals, I feel.”

“And if you look at the last Test, both Jinks and Pujara, the way they batted in the second innings, that experience is obviously priceless for us, and especially in series like these where you know these guys have done the job in the past and when you are playing overseas, in tough conditions, these guys will always step up with impact performances.”

“We saw that in Australia as well, the last time we were there (2020-21), we’re seeing that now as well in the last Test. Crucial knocks. Crucial knocks in crucial situations, in crucial scenarios, and that has a lot of value.”

“So I feel transitions do happen, but they happen naturally, and a conversation cannot be forced around a transition is what I’ve experienced and what I feel. When the transition has to happen, everyone knows in which direction the team is moving, and that is a very natural progression, so I think we should leave the transition to unfold itself, and not necessarily force individuals in difficult situations or tricky situations and I truly believe in that.”

“MS Dhoni said to me very early on that there should be a gap of at least 7-8 months between two mistakes, only then will your career grow in international cricket. I internalised that within my system, that I won’t keep repeating the same mistake. And that happens when you reflect on your mistakes, which I know Rishabh does…”