India vs. South Africa: Winners and Losers from 4th Test
After two days of incredible concentration, South Africa’s resilience came to an end just after tea on the fifth day. India won the fourth and final Test by 337 runs, but that only tells half the story. South Africa’s batsmen survived for over 140 overs across two days and very nearly pulled off a great escape.
It wasn’t to be, though, but after all the misery the Proteas had endured on this tour, they can at least take some heart from the way they applied themselves over the last two days. We’ve picked a few winners and losers from this Test, add your own in the comments.
Winner: Ajinkya Rahane
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With two centuries in the match, Ajinkya Rahane was one of the star players. His concentration was impeccable and he slots into the team perfectly.
Amid so many stroke-players, he brings some calm to the batting attack. Rahane is the kind of player who will be able to keep his head when all around him people are losing theirs.
Winner: Test Cricket
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On more than one occasion over the last few years, South Africa have snatched a draw from the jaws of defeat. To manage that this time, they needed to bat longer than any team has ever done in order to save a Test. They nearly did, too. It was gripping stuff and while the pitch was tricky, it wasn’t nearly as hellish as it was in Nagpur.
What this match showed is just how incredible Test cricket can be when the conditions are right and the team’s application is good. Even though very little happened for almost two days, and even though South Africa lost, it was still one of the most impressive passages of Test cricket we’ve seen this year.
Loser: South Africa’s Application
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South Africa were brilliantly resolute in the second innings, but they were once again let down by their application in the first innings. Skittled out for just 121, they are probably kicking themselves thinking what could have been if they had just gritted it out.
The pitch didn’t deteriorate much, and it is as if two completely different South African teams batted in the first innings compared to the second. The Proteas were never going to win this one, but they could have done much better.
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Loser: Imran Tahir
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The way Imran Tahir bowls, and the way his captain uses him will forever remain a mystery. The leg-spinner should take some flak for his inconsistency and his inability to stick to a stock ball and then attacking from there.
But his captain, Hashim Amla, seemed to have very little trust in him. On more than one occasion, Tahir was used in very short spells and not given time to settle. This was, most likely down to South Africa’s fear of conceding runs.
It’s a vicious cycle for Tahir who needs to earn his captain’s trust by bowling more consistently, but he then tries too many things in one over when he is given the ball.
Loser: Dane Vilas
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It’s probably safe to say Dane Vilas has played his last ever Test for South Africa. Brought into the side as a replacement for the out-of-form Quinton de Kock, Vilas was thrown into the deep end in tough conditions.
He failed on more than one occasion and, most notably, chopped onto his stumps in the second innings of this Test when South Africa were trying to save it.
Some of that would have been mental issues from the struggles in Mohali and Nagpur, but such an elementary error at such a crucial time won’t exactly have him high on the list for selection when it comes to picking a squad for England's tour of South Africa.
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