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Rob Houwing, Sport24 chief writer
Cape Town – If Indian media reports are to be believed, it will take a near-miracle for the home side to hit back to share the two-Test series against currently rampant South Africa in Kolkata.
Many local critics believe India will rapidly surrender their world No 1 ranking, by failing to beat the Proteas at Eden Gardens after their innings reverse at Nagpur.
Rajesh Kalra wrote in The Times of India that the Proteas had put Mahendra Singh Dhoni’s side “in their place” and implored the country’s “paper tigers” to wake up urgently.
“Dale Steyn made monkey of all our demi-gods (in Nagpur): even the redoubtable Sehwag and Tendulkar were hopping around unconvincingly, although both made a century in the game.
“It is (also) clear that the world’s official No 1 Test team has an attack that is pedestrian. There is no spinner who can be called a match-winner.
“And if Zaheer (Khan), who is looking tired rather than tried and tested, is the main strike bowler, then God save this team.
“One wonders what has happened to Ishant Sharma who, not too long ago, made the Oz captain (Ricky) Ponting hop around. The beanpole is hardly as quick as he was then and also looks tired and never a strike bowler.”
Meanwhile The Hindu newspaper lamented: “Unfortunately for India, none of the other batsmen emulated Tendulkar’s skill and patience (in the second innings, when he scored 100).
“Saving a match demands epic partnerships … and with Rahul Dravid and VVS Laxman indisposed and Gautam Gambhir having a rare lean patch, India was stripped of the services of three men eminently capable of such feats.”
Writing on the Cricinfo website, which has its headquarters in India, S Aga said of the Nagpur defeat: “Where to from here? This wasn’t a liberally grassed pitch like the one at Motera Stadium (Ahmedabad) in April 2008 (where the Proteas bundled India out for 76 in the first innings, again spearheaded by Steyn).
“This was low and slow with the ball turning appreciably right from the opening day … and India still got pulped.
“Apart from a spell where the genius of Virender Sehwag and growing confidence of S Badrinath saw them frustrate South Africa, they were second-best in every single session.
“Steyn bowled wonderfully well, (even as) both Morne Morkel and Wayne Parnell can do better. Paul Harris took more wickets than India’s spinners while bowling 19 maiden overs – Harbhajan Singh managed one.
“If you’re looking for crumbs of comfort, don’t bother. The table was wiped clean.
“As MS Dhoni admitted afterwards, South Africa’s side has far better balance because of Jacques Kallis. India can shed tears over the disappearance of Irfan Pathan, but for the moment they must mix and match as best they can.”
Cape Town – If Indian media reports are to be believed, it will take a near-miracle for the home side to hit back to share the two-Test series against currently rampant South Africa in Kolkata.
Many local critics believe India will rapidly surrender their world No 1 ranking, by failing to beat the Proteas at Eden Gardens after their innings reverse at Nagpur.
Rajesh Kalra wrote in The Times of India that the Proteas had put Mahendra Singh Dhoni’s side “in their place” and implored the country’s “paper tigers” to wake up urgently.
“Dale Steyn made monkey of all our demi-gods (in Nagpur): even the redoubtable Sehwag and Tendulkar were hopping around unconvincingly, although both made a century in the game.
“It is (also) clear that the world’s official No 1 Test team has an attack that is pedestrian. There is no spinner who can be called a match-winner.
“And if Zaheer (Khan), who is looking tired rather than tried and tested, is the main strike bowler, then God save this team.
“One wonders what has happened to Ishant Sharma who, not too long ago, made the Oz captain (Ricky) Ponting hop around. The beanpole is hardly as quick as he was then and also looks tired and never a strike bowler.”
Meanwhile The Hindu newspaper lamented: “Unfortunately for India, none of the other batsmen emulated Tendulkar’s skill and patience (in the second innings, when he scored 100).
“Saving a match demands epic partnerships … and with Rahul Dravid and VVS Laxman indisposed and Gautam Gambhir having a rare lean patch, India was stripped of the services of three men eminently capable of such feats.”
Writing on the Cricinfo website, which has its headquarters in India, S Aga said of the Nagpur defeat: “Where to from here? This wasn’t a liberally grassed pitch like the one at Motera Stadium (Ahmedabad) in April 2008 (where the Proteas bundled India out for 76 in the first innings, again spearheaded by Steyn).
“This was low and slow with the ball turning appreciably right from the opening day … and India still got pulped.
“Apart from a spell where the genius of Virender Sehwag and growing confidence of S Badrinath saw them frustrate South Africa, they were second-best in every single session.
“Steyn bowled wonderfully well, (even as) both Morne Morkel and Wayne Parnell can do better. Paul Harris took more wickets than India’s spinners while bowling 19 maiden overs – Harbhajan Singh managed one.
“If you’re looking for crumbs of comfort, don’t bother. The table was wiped clean.
“As MS Dhoni admitted afterwards, South Africa’s side has far better balance because of Jacques Kallis. India can shed tears over the disappearance of Irfan Pathan, but for the moment they must mix and match as best they can.”
