Much of what we saw in the first Test at the Centurion had the old-timers shaking their heads and reminiscing the 1990s – India’s batters were in no mood to stay in the middle and the pacers (after raising our spirits over the last five years) crashed back into the ground with a resounding thud. The margin of defeat, an innings and 32 runs, had a story of its own to tell, and in its own way also set the agenda for the second and final Test of the series which begins in Cape Town on Wednesday.
India Won Only 10 Tests In South Africa
Indian fans went after him but the point he was trying to make was valid. India’s standing in world cricket is built on success at home. Take them out of that space and we have a team that very often flatters to deceive. Over the last decade, India has played 40 Tests in South Africa, England, New Zealand, and Australia (SENA) and won just 10 while crashing to 23 defeats. Four of these wins have come in eight Tests against Australia.
Hard Practice Session By Indian Team
The days between the first and the second Test saw Rohit and Co hard at work. The skipper himself had an extended net session, batting for over an hour. Virat Kohli batted against a left-armer to prepare for Nandre Burger and Shreyas Iyer got the short-ball treatment while the bowlers were working on execution ahead of the game that Rohit believes will be played in conditions similar to Centurion. There isn’t as much grass on the surface but batting won’t be easy.
Rohit Said We Are Confident
Rohit added: “At some stage, they all have to be exposed to conditions like this, attacks like these… we all have done it. I am sure they have learned a lot from the first game they have played and tomorrow (Wednesday) will be another opportunity to understand what is required. It is challenging but that’s what Test cricket is all about.”