The WA bowlers kept pegging things back with regular wickets and Rahane's departure once again spelt trouble for the Men in Blue.
Rohit Sharma and Manish Pandey sparkled with half-centuries but rest of India's batsmen put up a lacklustre performance before the bowlers came good to hand the team a 64-run win over a second string Western Australia XI in the warm-up one-day cricket match on Saturday.
Electing to bat, the Mahendra Singh Dhoni-led side did not have the best of starts, losing two quick wickets but Rohit Sharma (67) and Ajinkya Rahane (41) stitched an 88-run third-wicket partnership to help the visitors put up a respectable score.
Shikhar Dhawan (4) and Virat Kohli (7), who were top-scorers in the first warm-up T20 game on Friday, failed to get going as they fell to new-ball bowler Drew Porter, who bagged a five-wicket haul.
The WA bowlers kept pegging things back with regular wickets and Rahane's departure once again spelt trouble for the Men in Blue.
Barring Tests, Shikhar Dhawan, who has had a decent record Down Under will look to provide that opening start to establish a stern foundation.
Although Virat Kohli failed to shine in the WACA encounter, his performance will prove vital going into the series that gets underway on January 12.
Post the matches, members of the Indian cricket team were seen signing autographs. Dhawan seen signing a few for his fans.
Mumbai star cricketer Ajinkya Rahane didn't miss out the opportunity to click a few selfies along with his fans.
Newly-married Rohit Sharma too obliged to his fans signing autographs and T-shirts for his fans.
In fact, South Africa had won only one Test rubber in five visits to India, in 1999-00 under Hansie Cronje before the match-fix saga blew up.
Nagpur: An enviable nine-year overseas record of 10 Test series wins in 14 rubbers by South Africa is under serious threat by India when the two teams face-off in the third and penultimate game of the current series at the VCA Stadium in Jamtha here on Wednesday.
After the 0-2 reversal against Sri Lanka in 2006, South Africa have not lost a Test series away from home and the list includes two wins over mighty Australia in 2008-09 and 2012-13, other than victories in one rubber each over England (2008), West Indies 2010), New Zealand (2011-12), Pakistan (2007-08), Sri Lanka (2014), Bangladesh (2007-8) and Zimbabwe (2007-08).
Significantly in this period South Africa, who are trailing India by 0-1 with two Tests left in the current rubber, have not won in the latter's backyard on the two visits they had made prior to the ongoing one - in 2007-08 (Three-Test series) and 2009-10 (Two-game contest).
On both occasions, South Africa drew 1-1 with India. Their other drawn series encounters in the last nine years were against Pakistan (0-0) in the series played in the United Arab Emirates in 2010-11, against England in 2009-10 with the series drawn 1-1 and Bangladesh (0-0 draw in 2015).
In fact, South Africa had won only one Test rubber in five visits to India, in 1999-00 under Hansie Cronje before the match-fix saga blew up.
The Proteas lost in 1996-97 (1-2 in the three-Test series) and 2004-05 (0-1 in the two-Test encounter) before holding India to draws in 2007-08 and 2009-10.
If India surge to a win here on what promises to be a spin-aiding track, South Africa will be confined to their third series defeat in six Test rubbers on Indian soil.
India discard Yuvraj Singh hinted recently during a Twitter banter with veteran India off-spinner Harbhajan Singh that he’ll be trying to play straight after Diwali and now Yuvi has just surprised Indian cricket fans.
According to media reports, Yuvi and his long-time girlfriend Hazel Keech, who already hinted about marriage plans, got engaged in a private ceremony in Bali on Wednesday.
Yuvraj was dating Hazel for a while, but their relationship was a pretty hush-hush one. The couple were spotted during Harbhajan’s wedding reception and if reports are to be believed, Yuvraj is planning to tie the knot early next year.
"The exuberance of youth and clarity in the road map is key in the focus to the job at hand. There is still a long journey to undertake and am looking forward to it,” Kagiso Rabada’s doctor-dad, Mpho Rabada said.
Mumbai: Bangladesh’s Mushfiqur Rahim and Pakistan's Imran Khan were unfortunate when they were dismissed on ducks on their birthdays. Team India’s Test skipper Virat Kohli, who scored one run on his birthday against South Africa on day one of the four-match Test series at Mohali on Thursday can take consolation that the bowler's dad is his great fan.
"I think I would settle for one run any day if offered and Virat (Kohli) is a professional who will be a bit disappointed but would not let that spoil his birthday Test as there is always the second innings. In the same breath, Virat is one of my favourite cricket players and am happy with him scoring a run," South Africa’s young speedster Kasigo Rabada's doctor-dad, Mpho Rabada said.
"Kohli is a super batsman and taking him out will be one of the special wickets like the first T20 of Glenn Maxwell. It’s just great to contribute to the team and make the job of winning lighter for the team," Rabada senior said.
"The rainbow nation is filled with limitless possibilities and opportunities to all who live in it. It is a privilege to represent the country in the Test and it is more special to do that India. On that note, the challenges that come with the test are dwarfed by the privileges afforded to represent in all formats. The goal is just to improve in each game and adapt to whatever the task is put in front of him," he added.
"The approach (by my son) is more like an operation in theatre — method, patience, structure, timing, care and expertise. A cricket test needs these perhaps not in order outlines with a probing delivery here and there. The more operations you are involved in the better you get and be an expert in that field. It's not about coming out blasting but rather being clinical," added the doctor.
"The exuberance of youth and clarity in the road map is key in the focus to the job at hand. There is still a long journey to undertake and am looking forward to it. This journey will build character and memories to cherish. His character and dedication shines more when no one is looking and when he prepares for the next game, dedication and passion is second to none," he pointed out.
Rabada's father may come to India to witness the final Test match. "I was scheduled to come but due to some unforeseen responsibilities, I will not be able to make it but am sure that I will get an opportunity to tour at some point. Maybe the last test if circumstances permit," he signed off.
Sudhir Naik also said he had not been informed by anyone, before the conclusion of the fourth ODI at Chennai on October 22, of the type of track that was desired by the home team for the series decider on October 25.
Mumbai: The controversy over the batting track prepared for the fifth ODI between India and South Africa at the Wankhede Stadium, where the visitors hammered the hosts by 214 runs to win the series last month, is yet to die down.
Pitch curator Sudhir Naik, who has accused Indian team Director Ravi Shastri of abusing him during the game after the Proteas ran up a record-high score of 438, said on Thursday he was awaiting a reply to his official written complaint lodged with match-hosting body Mumbai Cricket Association (MCA).
"I had informed Dilip Vengsarkar (MCA Vice-President), Prof Ratnakar Shetty (BCCI General Manager, Game Development) and Pawar saheb (MCA President Sharad Pawar) about Shastri's abuse directed at me immediately and was told to put in the complaint through a letter. I have done so and am awaiting a reply," Naik told reporters at the Wankhede Stadium.
MCA, meanwhile, has asked ex-India captain Vengsarkar to probe the matter by speaking to Naik and Shastri, both former Test cricketers and his one-time teammates in the Mumbai Ranji team.
Naik, in his letter, had asked MCA to reprimand both Shastri and Indian team's bowling coach Bharat Arun, who had allegedly fired his assistant Ramesh Mamhunkar on the same matter.
Acknowledging that MCA had no powers to reprimand Shastri or Arun, Naik said one option before him was to approach BCCI directly on the matter, but he wanted to go through proper channel.
"I know I can directly approach the BCCI, but I want to place the issue first with the MCA, who had hired me to do the job," he said.
Naik also said he had not been informed by anyone, before the conclusion of the fourth ODI at Chennai on October 22, of the type of track that was desired by the home team for the series decider on October 25. The visitors won the five-match series 3-2.
"Dr PV Shetty (MCA Joint Secretary) got a phone call on the 22nd night from the team management and informed us the next day morning about the team's wishes. But by that stage the wicket had already been prepared. It was too late in the day to make it into a slow turner," insisted the ex-Test opener.
Asked about the alleged abuse hurled at him by Shastri, Naik said he was standing on the ground level and the former India all-rounder was on the balcony above in front of the team's dressing room - after South Africa had run up the massive total - and twice complimented him about the track, saying, "Great wicket, Sudhir".
"After I said thank you both times, he suddenly turned around and, with one hand on the door handle of the dressing room and with his back half turned towards me, abused me (in Marathi) and then fled inside. It was good that he ran inside, as otherwise I would have also retorted," he said.
Meanwhile, PV Shetty informed the MCA Managing Committee, which met on Thursday, that Shastri was not available to be talked to on this issue till the end of the four-Test series between India and South Africa that commenced at Mohali today.
Having been India's strike bowler in the Test series win in Sri Lanka, Ravichandran Ashwin, who bagged 20 wickets against the Island nation, will be key to the home team's chances with opposition players like Faf du Plessis and Dean Elgar acknowledging the in-form spinner's threat.
Mohali: Outwitted in both the T20 and the ODI cricket series, India will seek redemption in the Test format by trying to spin a web around the formidable South Africans in the four-match series starting here on Thursday.
India failed to make use of the home advantage in the limited-overs games while the South Africans displayed remarkable adaptability to emerge the better of the two teams so far.
In Thursday’s match, Virat Kohli's men would take the field without pace spearhead Ishant Sharma, who is serving a one-match ban for his aggressive outbursts during the away series against Sri Lanka.
Therefore, India will be relying heavily on their spin brigade to out-manoeuvre the potent opposition batting, which has been sublime to say the least.
With Ravindra Jadeja back in the mix of things, Kohli will be looking to go with three spinners at the PCA track, hoping to pose a threat to the visitors. Premier off-spinner Ravichandran Ashwin, who missed the last four ODIs with a side strain he suffered in the opening game in Kanpur, seems to be fit and raring to go.
Having been India's strike bowler in the Test series win in Sri Lanka, Ashwin, who bagged 20 wickets against the Island nation, will be key to the home team's chances with opposition players like Faf du Plessis and Dean Elgar acknowledging the in-form spinner's threat.
Team Director Ravi Shastri though has asserted that even Amit Mishra and Jadeja, who has been in stellar form in the current Ranji season, will be crucial to the home side's fortunes.
Playing for Saurashtra, Jadeja, whose last Test appearance was against England last year, has bagged 38 wickets in four games to win back the selectors' trust. His left-arm slow bowling, combined with Mishra's leg-spin and Ashwin's offies could turn out to be the much-needed winning formula for the hosts on what seems to be a track that will favour the home team's strength.
On the batting front, India will be spoilt for choices on with Shikhar Dhawan, Murali Vijay, Cheteshwar Pujara and Rohit Sharma fighting it out for the top-order slots.
Speaking highly of Dhawan and his 187 against Australia at the same venue in 2013, Shastri said, "Getting runs at a venue in your last Test match, nothing like it. But the biggest mistake people make is that they mix Test and ODI form. Test match form he comes back at the back of two Test hundreds, so he is very much in form, he is hot. That 187 against Australia will certainly be in his mind, competition for places, nothing like it. It goes to show everyone is on his toes, nobody will rest on his heels. If you miss out somebody else will grab the opportunity. It's healthy," he said.
South Africa, on the other hand, will be a tad worried about the form of Hashim Amla, who takes over as captain for the Test format.
In contrast, ODI captain AB de Villiers, termed ‘Superman’ by former Indian captain Sunil Gavaskar, seems to be in the form his life and his wicket will certainly be a prized scalp for the Indian camp.
South Africa rode on three ODI hundreds from their skipper to clinch the five-match series 3-2, while they won the three-game T20 rubber by a 2-0 margin.
Dean Elgar, Stiaan van Zyl and Faf du Plessis also add muscle to their batting while Temba Bavuma is expected to fill in the large shoes of Jean-Paul Duminy, who is still recovering from his hand injury picked during the third ODI.
The Proteas’ attack rests on the broad shoulders of speedster Dale Steyn and Morne Morkel while the spin force is led by the in-form Imran Tahir. Tahir is not unfamiliar with sub-continent tracks and after making an impression for Delhi Daredevils in the IPL, he has become South Africa's trump card on a turning wicket.
When the Proteas last visited India for a Test series in 2009-10, the rubber stood drawn at 1-1, but South Africa did get the better of the hosts way back in 1999-2000. The last series played between the two sides was won by hosts South Africa by a 1-0 margin in 2013-14.
Teams:
India: Virat Kohli (capt), Murali Vijay, Shikhar Dhawan, Cheteshwar Pujara, Ajinkya Rahane, Rohit Sharma, Wriddhiman Saha (wkt), Ravindra Jadeja, Amit Mishra, Bhuvneshwar Kumar, R Ashwin, Umesh Yadav, Lokesh Rahul, Stuart Binny, Varun Aaron.
South Africa: Hashim Amla (captain), AB de Villiers (vice-captain), Temba Bavuma, Jean-Paul Duminy, Faf du Plessis, Dean Elgar, Simon Harmer, Imran Tahir, Morne Morkel, Vernon Philander, Dane Piedt, Kagiso Rabada, Dale Steyn, Stiaan van Zyl, Dane Vilas (wkt).
West Indies cricketer Chris Gayle has praised his friend Mahendra Singh Dhoni, saying he has contributed a lot to the Indian cricket and will surely bounce back and prove his critics wrong.
Gayle said he is glad to get the opportunity to share stage with the legend like Dhoni. "We actually get on well off the field. Like I mentioned, we are very competitive in the middle. But I actually love to be on stage with MS. He is a lovely guy. I hope all the Indian fans can say the same, all the people around the world can say the same about MS Dhoni. The chance to share the stage with him is fantastic," Gayle told ANI here.
"A legend like him in my book has done great in ODIs for Indian cricket. He has done so many things for India by keeping on winning. And then losing two series, everyone has put a big stick over his head. He is a champion. He will surely bounce back," he added.
Speaking on the ongoing series between India and South Africa, the swashbuckling West Indian opener said the Proteas are the favourites for the Test series because of the success in ODIs and T20s.
South Africa are the favourites. I am actually saying on the basis of what has happened in the ODI series. They are going for an important game and the first Test can actually decide the series as well. So hopefully they (India) can get a good start," the 36-year old stated.
Gayle further lauded the South African side, and said that they are one of the toughest opponents to face. "They always have a strong bowling line up as well. It is going to be a great series and fan will enjoy it," he said.
India, who have lost both the ODI and T20 series against South Africa, will now aim to bounce back when they take on South Africa in the four-match Test series, starting from November 5 in Mohali.
South Africa’s ODI skipper AB de Villiers is regarded as one of the most destructive players in all three formats of the game. His presence itself at the crease is a nightmare for bowlers. With an average of 52.09 and 54.21 in Tests and ODIs respectively, de Villiers has impressed experts and former cricketers with his 360 degree style of play while clobbering the ball all round the park.
The recently concluded ODI series against hosts Team India saw 31-year-old de Villiers score three tons to help the Proteas outclass Mahendra Singh Dhoni and his men.
With his lethal performances, de Villiers is slowly but surely inching towards Indian icon Sachin Tendulkar-like greatness and while it is too early to compare him to the ‘Little Master’, former South Africa bowler Petrus Stephanus de Villiers, aka Fanie de Villiers, believes AB will become even more popular than Sachin.
"Can I tell you something about AB de Villiers? AB is going to be more popular than Sachin Tendulkar in world cricket," Fanie was quoted as saying in a report in an Indian daily.
"That's the calibre of a person we are talking about; that's the cricketer we are talking about; that's the loveable, marketable player we are talking about. He is in the Sachin Tendulkar category. If you are in the Tendulkar category, when it comes to marketing the game of cricket, you are special," he reckoned.
Fanie also went on to say that de Villiers’ records are better than Sachin and the Protea is better than the Indian in ODIs.
"You can compare his records with Tendulkar; you feel this guy is even better than Tendulkar in ODIs. You can compare his popularity around the world and at home, he is in the category of Sachin Tendulkar. It's a privilege to be in that class or category on and off the field. He is very much the same as Tendulkar," he said.
"Who else do the Indian public cheer for as much as AB? Not many. AB is that sort of cricketer. He should have been Test and T20 captain as well. They (CSA) deprived AB of not captaining South Africa in all formats. ODI cricket is always difficult but I think you can truly rate the captain in Tests.
There are too many variables in ODI cricket. I know for the fact that players enjoy AB's company more than anybody else, players will support him more than anybody else. He is good enough to be a captain. He is the marketing icon of South African cricket and that is the captain. The captain is just judged on how good he is on-field, off the field, has marketing appeal and experience. He has got everything," Fanie signed off.
