Man, what a Test match series this has been!
India were pummelled in the 1st Test at Nagpur by a world-class South African bowling attack on the back of a Dravidian like 253 from Hashim Amla in the first innings. Then, a week later, India have bounced back in the 2nd Test after having completely outplayed SA, and despite Amla's grit on the fifth day, to draw the series. A 3rd test, in Chepauk, for instance, to replace the remaining One Day International (ODI) matches especially in light of the upcoming Twenty20 overload -- aka IPL -- would have been a great decider. I mean, what're a few more sleepless nights for me. But ODIs cannot be completely ignored especially in India. I am just glad that the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) asked the South Africans for two Tests to replace four of the originally planned seven ODIs.
Amla was a pillar of resoluteness for the South Africans.
M Vijay, who is relatively new to the Indian Test side and debutant Badrinath seem to have done enough without really contributing. You could argue that they were both just starting to play at the International level but that does not explain South Africa's own debutant Alviro Peterson's fine performance. Well, well, we will just have to wait and see if Vijay and Badrinath can do better. Also, even if Yuvraj gets fit, I don't think that he should be included in Tests in the near future. An opportunity must first be given to Virat Kohli or Manish Pandey.
During the 2nd test, I remember Ravi Shastri commenting that if India won a few matches on a pitch like the one at Kolkata, they can handle pitches anywhere in the world. Very true! Hats off to the groundsman to have prepared a proper Test wicket. However, we cannot always expect a pitch like that elsewhere in India. In late 2009, Doug Bollinger's performance (5/35) during ODI six in Guwahati that sealed the seven ODI series in Australia's favor spoke volumes as to what a bowler with tremendous pace can accomplish on flat pitches that generally provide nothing for a fast bowler. So going forward, in the bowling arena, Abhimanyu Mithun must be given an opportunity. I have a feeling that Ishant Sharma can only perform well on bouncy pitches owing to his tall height, lankiness and lack of pace. Mithun, with his much higher pace, tall height and more robust build, should be able to do better at both home and away.
I do agree with some fans that Test series should be planned better, comprise of either three or five matches and must be played only on certain grounds. However, as seen in this series, any number of Tests would still make for a gripping experience as long as the teams involved can play high quality Cricket.
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