As the second Test between India and South Africa unfolded with a flurry of 23 wickets on the chaotic first day, South African skipper Dean Elgar refrained from deeming the pitch as poor, emphasizing the challenges it presented instead. The day concluded with South Africa at 62/3, trailing by 36 runs, with Aiden Markram (36*) and David Bedingham (7*) standing firm.

In his final Test, Elgar remained undeterred despite modest scores of 4 and 12. Refusing to criticize the pitch, he acknowledged its challenging nature, emphasizing the need for batters to apply themselves mentally and be disciplined. Elgar, known for his success on diverse wickets, stressed the delicate balance between bat and ball.

Elgar shed light on the unpredictable bounce at different ends of the pitch. When Mohammed Siraj wreaked havoc with a six-wicket haul at the Wynberg End, deliveries at the Calvin Grove End, exploited by Lungi Ngidi for three wickets in an over, displayed a different character. Elgar admitted confusion about the varying bounce and noted the challenges faced by batters.

Despite having played 19 first-class matches at Newlands, Elgar admitted that the mottled appearance of the pitch differed from its usual even tone. He expressed confidence before the match, believing the surface would favor batting first. However, the unexpected nature of the pitch left Elgar surprised, stating he wouldn’t have chosen it had he known its true character.

Elgar credited India for putting the ball in the right areas and highlighted the importance of South African batters by showing more application. Drawing inspiration from Virat Kohli, Aiden Markram and Rohit Sharma, Elgar emphasized the need for calculated risks and solid application in challenging conditions.

As the match unfolded, South Africa’s first innings witnessed a collapse, with Mohammed Siraj’s fiery spell decimating their top and middle order. In response, India faced its own challenges, succumbing to a Lungi Ngidi three-wicket over. Elgar, in his final Test innings, managed 12 runs as South Africa ended the day at 62/3 in their second innings. The battle between bat and ball continues in this gripping encounter.

In their final international match of 2023, the Indian cricket team faced a disappointing performance against South Africa, particularly in the much-anticipated ‘Final Frontier’ series. The outcome on the field was far from what was anticipated, with India’s first innings closing at 245. South Africa, led by Dean Elgar’s remarkable 185, amassed a formidable 408-run total. The second innings witnessed a lone battle by Virat Kohli (76), but India succumbed to an all-out total of just 131. This led to a staggering defeat for India, losing the match by an innings and 32 runs.

In the second innings, only Kohli and Shubman Gill (26) managed to reach double-digit figures, while four Indian batters failed to score at all. Cricket legend Sachin Tendulkar shared his insights on the performance through a comprehensive post on social media.

Tendulkar praised South Africa for their outstanding performance, especially their pace attack that exceeded expectations in the second innings, despite the pitch becoming more favorable for batting as the match progressed. He observed that India’s shot selection throughout the Test was subpar, with only a few batters, including Elgar, Jansen, Bedingham, Virat Kohli and KL Rahul, showing comfort with the bat and navigating the challenging conditions with technique and poise.

South Africa secured an unassailable 1-0 lead in the two-match series, shattering India’s aspirations of winning a Test series in South Africa for the first time in 31 years. The only redemption for India now lies in a 1-1 draw, a possibility they can strive for during the upcoming New Year’s Test in Cape Town.

The Indian team’s lackluster batting performance reflected a sense of cluelessness and a lack of preparedness for the challenging assignment. Captain Rohit Sharma, experiencing a rough period after losing the World Cup final and being removed from Mumbai Indians’ captaincy, did not exhibit the leadership that had made him a favorite during the World Cup.

The team, much like its skipper, appeared disheveled and without a plan B for course correction. With Bob Marley’s iconic “Don’t worry, Everything Gonna be Alright” played in the background, the Indian team must be reflecting on how nothing went right throughout the entire course of the match.

In an insightful revelation, former South Africa cricket team captain Faf du Plessis dissects the reasons behind the struggles faced by Indian batters when contending with the conditions set by the Proteas. As India gears up for a Test series in South Africa, commencing on December 26 in Centurion under the leadership of Rohit Sharma, Faf sheds light on the distinct characteristics of South African pitches, highlighting the heightened bounce as a factor introducing ‘additional risk’ for Indian batsmen.

“It’s the bounce. Here, you encounter almost a full hand’s height of extra bounce compared to the familiar conditions in India. While Indian batsmen are accustomed to playing shots on the up, the combination of increased bounce and lateral movement introduces an additional layer of risk. Success in South Africa lies in mastering the skill of leaving well and maintaining a substantial presence at the crease,”

explains Faf in an exclusive discussion with The Indian Express.

Drawing from past encounters, the former South African skipper imparts valuable advice to Indian batters facing the Proteas’ formidable bowling attack. Reflecting on the closely contested 2018 series, Faf underscores the crucial role of disciplined shot selection, urging Indian batsmen to judiciously leave well-executed deliveries while seizing opportunities presented by poorly bowled balls to accumulate pivotal runs. According to Faf, the key ingredients for success in South Africa involve patience, unwavering respect for prevailing conditions, and a strategic approach to navigating short deliveries with extra bounce.

Renowned Indian cricket star Virat Kohli has urgently returned home due to a family emergency, throwing a curveball into preparations just days before the commencement of the first Test against South Africa. Sources from the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) have confirmed that the iconic batsman is expected to rejoin the squad in time for the opening Test scheduled for December 26 in Centurion.

Earlier, the BCCI had released wicket-keeper batsman Ishan Kishan from the Test series due to personal reasons, with KS Bharat announced as his replacement for the upcoming two-match series.

Adding to the team’s challenges, India’s opening batsman Ruturaj Gaikwad will be sidelined for the two-Test series due to a finger fracture sustained while attempting a catch during the second ODI against South Africa. The BCCI is yet to announce a replacement for the young batter.

The upcoming Test series marks the return of key players including Kohli, skipper Rohit Sharma, pacer Jasprit Bumrah, and other members of India’s ODI World Cup squad. Since the heart-wrenching loss against Australia in the World Cup final, Kohli, Rohit, and other senior members of the Indian team have been on a cricket hiatus.

While the specific details of the ‘family emergency’ prompting Kohli’s early return remain undisclosed, there seems to be assurances from Kohli himself to the BCCI regarding his swift return before the Test series kicks off.

Rohit Sharma (C), Shubman Gill, Yashasvi Jaiswal, Virat Kohli, Shreyas Iyer, KL Rahul (wk), Ravindra Jadeja, Shardul Thakur, Ravichandran Ashwin, Mohd. Siraj, Mukesh Kumar, Jasprit Bumrah (VC), Prasidh Krishna, KS Bharat (wk).

Irfan Pathan, the former speedster for India, recently expressed his belief that Rohit Sharma has the potential to carve out a remarkable legacy in the realm of cricket. According to Pathan, securing victory in the Test series against South Africa could catapult Rohit into the echelons of India’s most esteemed players and captains. Sharing his insights on Star Sports, Pathan underscored Rohit’s pivotal role in the upcoming matches, considering his dual responsibilities as the team’s skipper and opener. The former cricketer emphasized that if the 36-year-old can navigate the challenges posed by the new ball, it would significantly ease the path for the other batsmen.

Pathan stated,

“Should Rohit Sharma triumph over South Africa, his name will be etched at the pinnacle of India’s cricketing history, both as a captain and a player. Mastering the new ball is his forte, and as both an opener and captain, he holds the key to victories in these crucial matches. The strategy is simple: by playing out the new ball, he paves the way for the brilliance of the other batsmen. That’s why the shine needs to be removed from the new ball.”

Discussing the anticipated challenges in the upcoming Test series, Pathan acknowledged the diverse roles that Rohit will undertake. Recalling Rohit’s stellar performance in the Test series in England, Pathan anticipates witnessing a similar level of preparation and passion. Rohit’s challenge, according to Pathan, extends beyond mere run-scoring; it involves leading the team forward while juggling various responsibilities, a feat reserved for the most seasoned players. Pathan highlighted the significant roles of Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli, referring to them as the “big brothers” in the team, upon whom a substantial dependency will rest.

The comprehensive tour of South Africa, featuring all formats, kicks off on December 10 with a three-match T20I series slated to conclude on December 14. Subsequently, the ODI leg of the series is set to commence on December 17 and conclude on December 21. The inaugural Test match is scheduled for December 26 at Centurion, followed by the second game on January 3 at Cape Town.

Providing insights into India’s squads for the various formats, the Test squad is captained by Rohit Sharma, who leads a talented ensemble. Suryakumar Yadav assumes leadership for the T20I squad, with Ravindra Jadeja as vice-captain. For ODIs, KL Rahul takes on the captaincy, supported by a diverse and skilled lineup. The squads reflect a harmonious blend of experience and emerging talent, underscoring India’s commitment to excellence in the upcoming series.

India’s squad for 3 T20Is: Yashasvi Jaiswal, Shubman Gill, Ruturaj Gaikwad, Tilak Varma, Suryakumar Yadav (C), Rinku Singh, Shreyas Iyer, Ishan Kishan (Wk), Jitesh Sharma (Wk), Ravindra Jadeja (VC), Mohd. Siraj, Mukesh Kumar, Washington Sundar, Ravi Bishnoi, Kuldeep Yadav, Arshdeep Singh, Deepak Chahar.

India’s squad for 3 ODIs: Ruturaj Gaikwad, Sai Sudharsan, Tilak Varma, Rajat Patidar, Rinku Singh, Shreyas Iyer, KL Rahul (C) (Wk), Sanju Samson (Wk), Axar Patel, Washington Sundar, Kuldeep Yadav, Arshdeep Singh, Deepak Chahar, Yuzvendra Chahal, Mukesh Kumar, Avesh Khan,.

Cricket South Africa (CSA) has officially declared Laura Wolvaardt the captain of all three formats ahead of Bangladesh’s upcoming tour. The 24-year-old, who served as the interim skipper during the Pakistan and New Zealand series, will lead the Proteas in T20Is and ODIs against Bangladesh from December 3-23. Wolvaardt’s successful stint as temporary captain, which saw consecutive series wins and impressive performances with the bat, has earned her a permanent leadership role.

Clinton du Preez, South Africa’s Women’s Convenor of Selectors, highlighted the challenges, stating,

“A few of our senior players are not available for the T20-leg of the Bangladesh Tour due to injury and those returning from the Women’s Big Bash League (WBBL). We are excited to provide an opportunity to our extended identified group, especially on the back of some injuries.”

With an eye on the ICC Women’s T20 World Cup, South Africa Women’s head coach, Hilton Moreeng, expressed the intent to blend in youngsters during the T20Is against Bangladesh.

“For the T20Is, this is where we are going to look, where possible, to blend in youngsters and give them an opportunity to expose themselves at this level to keep growing the base,”

Moreeng said, emphasizing the squad’s growing strength.

Squad: Anneke Bosch, Tazmin Brits, Annerie Dercksen, Mieke de Ridder, Lara Goodall, Ayanda Hlubi, Sinalo Jafta, Masabata Klaas, Suné Luus, Eliz-Mari Marx, Nonkululeko Mlaba, Tumi Sekhukhune, Nondumiso Shangase, Delmi Tucker, Laura Wolvaardt

Australia reaffirmed their cricket supremacy by securing their sixth Cricket World Cup title, defeating India by six wickets in the highly anticipated final. Travis Head’s stellar performance, coupled with disciplined bowling, brought an end to India’s unbeaten streak in the tournament.

As champions, Australia claimed a substantial prize of USD 4 million, leaving India with USD 2 million as the runners-up. The significance of reaching the semi-finals was reflected in the prize money, with South Africa and New Zealand each receiving USD 800,000. The remaining six teams, unable to progress to the semi-finals, were awarded USD 100,000 each.

Top 4 Teams’ Winnings in Cricket World Cup 2023

• Australia (7 wins in the group stage): USD 4.28 Million
• India (9 wins in the group stage): USD 2.36 Million
• South Africa (7 wins in the group stage): USD 1.08 Million
• New Zealand (5 wins in the group stage): USD 1 Million

Australia’s Precision and Ruthless Execution

Australia’s triumph showcased meticulous planning and ruthless execution as they successfully chased down 241 runs in just 43 overs. Travis Head’s outstanding innings of 137 runs off 120 balls once again proved to be a thorn in India’s side.

The formidable South African team is poised to hold the upper hand against England, a side grappling with recent losses and performance woes.

While England has a historical 4-3 advantage over South Africa in 50-over World Cup matches, it’s the Proteas who have shown stronger form in this particular edition. England, despite having a dangerous squad on paper, have been largely rusty and inconsistent. Ben Stokes, their “spiritual leader,” will probably be available for the match at Wankhede.

Afghanistan caused their first upset of the World Cup, bludgeoning Jos Buttler’s team despite them having dominated a weak Bangladesh side in the tournament opener.

Despite his familiarity with the circumstances, Buttler has not left his stamp on the event thus far, with scores of 43, 20, and 9 in his first three matches.

If Buttler is a concern in the middle-order, Liam Livingstone’s returns of 20, 0, and 10 in three matches give England more headaches in the lower order. Joe Root and Dawid Malan have been the top performers with the bat for England. Root scored in the two fifties while Malan scored a century. However, they both recognise the need for the entire batting unit to step up against South Africa’s strong bowling attack. Reece Topley, with his five wickets, will play a crucial role for England with the ball. Despite Mark Wood’s pace efforts (three wickets) and Adil Rashid’s spin (four wickets), England’s bowling hasn’t been as effective as desired.

England’s most successful bowler in the 2019 edition with 20 wickets, Jofra Archer, linked up with the squad in Mumbai on Thursday but he is the only travelling reserve with no set plans to make a comeback to top-flight cricket.

In the realm of numbers, Australia’s World Cup campaign hasn’t reached crisis point. With a nine-match pool stage, even two losses still leave seven opportunities for victory. England advanced to the final despite only having six wins, when they faced New Zealand, who had won five games. This extended tournament format allows for errors and room for recovery.

Humanly speaking, the situation seems far worse. Two cautious batting performances, coupled with two middle-order collapses, have created a palpable sense of despondency. The opening match against India, despite a challenging pitch and formidable spinners, led to a slump from 110 for two to five for 30. The encounter with South Africa in Lucknow witnessed an early collapse, starting at six for 43 in the sixth over. By the 18th, survivors were battling to improve the net run rate.

The sense of crisis is exacerbated by dropped catches, questionable decisions, and management’s changing choices. The lack of bowling options in a format that demands varied slow bowling adds to the concern. The opponent’s strategy to target Adam Zampa’s leg-breaks further highlights the team’s vulnerabilities. Australia must find a spark to reignite their campaign and approach the challenge with enthusiasm.

Kusal Mendis, occupying third spot for Sri Lanka, ignited a remarkable spark with his thrilling performances, effectively transforming losses into triumphs. He exhibited formidable power against Australia, achieving the fastest century for his team in the World Cup, showcasing his exceptional prowess in striking the cricket ball. The Australian team could find themselves in a precarious situation if he guides Sri Lanka to another victory against them.

Aiden Markram’s confidence in his record-breaking century sets the stage for a remarkable World Cup campaign. In a spectacular display of power hitting, he blazed a 49-ball century and led South Africa to a resounding victory, piling up 428 runs against Sri Lanka in their opening match at the Arun Jaitley Stadium.

The 29-year-old phenom, Markram, not only reached a personal milestone by scoring 106 runs, but he also broke Kevin O’Brien of Ireland’s previous record for the quickest World Cup century, which he attained in 50 balls against England in 2011. South Africa’s performance extended beyond individual glory as they surpassed the previous World Cup best total of 417, set by Australia against Afghanistan in 2015. Their remarkable score of 428-5 also secured their place as the ninth highest total in all one-day internationals.

In an era of aggressive batting, Markram’s astounding feat reflects the changing dynamics of the sport. He shared his perspective, saying,

“The way batters are playing nowadays, you wouldn’t be surprised if that record is broken in this competition as well.”

This transformation is marked by a “see-ball-hit-ball” mentality, made possible by excellent pitch conditions.

The South African team’s collective effort shone through with Rassie van der Dussen (108) and Quinton de Kock (100) also achieving centuries in this historic World Cup match. Markram acknowledged his teammates” praise for their role in setting up the platform for their extraordinary performance, and emphasized the hard work required at the beginning of an innings.

Markram reflected on the unique experience of being in the zone, saying,

“It’s quite strange because you almost get this thing that just takes over your body at certain moments.”

This passion and determination defines the team’s approach as they aim to give their absolute all at this World Cup, seeking to overcome their reputation for starting slowly.

Despite South Africa’s dominating performance, credit goes to Sri Lanka for their spirited reply. Kusal Mendis (76), Charith Asalanka (79), and skipper Dasun Shanaka (68) showcased their prowess with fine half-centuries, driving Sri Lanka to a commendable total of 326.Sri Lanka seemed on the brink of victory, reaching 109-2 by the 13th over.

Sadeera Samarawickrama, a batsman for Sri Lanka, expressed his hope after the game and said,

“Had we not lost a few wickets in the middle overs, we could have come close to their score or even secured a victory.”

Cricket action is heating up as Sri Lanka prepare to face Pakistan in Hyderabad on Tuesday as South Africa prepare for a challenging encounter against five-time champions Australia on Thursday in Lucknow.A thrilling World Cup with record-breaking performances and fierce rivalry is in store.