India v South Africa at Bangalore: CricInfo Report

India v South Africa at Bangalore
2-6 Mar 2000 (Anand Vasu)

Day1 | Day2 | Day3 | Day4 | Day5

Day1: South African domination continues in second Test

When you lose a Test match to a visiting side in just three days, you expect the selectors to take a long hard look at the composition of the team. The five wise men of Indian cricket looked and made three changes. As expected, Mohammed Azharuddin came in to strengthen the middle order and Nikhil Chopra was drafted in as the third spinner. The move that surprised many was the inclusion of Mohammed Kaif. Wasim Jaffer got another chance to prove his mettle at the top of the innings.

South Africa opted to play to their strength and replaced Nicky Boje with Nantie Hayward. A fit Daryll Cullinan reclaimed his spot in the middle order. Sachin Tendulkar won the toss once more and had no hesitation in telling his compatriot "We'll have a bat."

The wicket as expected played on the low side. Starting off with good pace, both Allan Donald and Shaun Pollock beat the bat more than once but did not get immediate results. Rahul Dravid opening the innings was at his dour best, not attempting to do anything flashy. After using VVS Laxman as a makeshift opener and finding the exercise a failure, the selectors decision to persist with these band aid solutions defies logic. However, they may not be worried so much about the long run as the task at hand.

Jaffer looked shaky and edged the ball to the slips on more than one occasion. On thirteen he was lucky to escape being caught in the slips as the ball fell just short of the slip fielder. Nantie Hayward generated good pace and it was only a matter of time before he caught the edge. Doing so in his very first over, Hayward got rid of the Mumbai youngster. Playing back to a perfectly pitched delivery, Jaffer nicked the ball through the waiting gloves of Mark Boucher.

Sourav Ganguly, more accustomed to batting lower down in the order came in at one drop. His change of place proved costly as he played down the wrong line to a well pitched up delivery from Pollock and was adjudged LBW. The ball pitching on the stumps and shaping in nicely looked like it was heading for the stumps and umpire AV Jayaprakash lifted the finger and Ganguly on his way.

Sachin Tendulkar joined Dravid out in the middle and a period of consolidation followed. South Africa rotated their medium pacers around and kept things tight. Jacques Kallis, dangerous as always, almost got rid of Tendulkar with an outswinger that peeled away at the last moment and deceived the little master all ends up.

Rahul Dravid's insistence on spending large amounts of time at the wicket and not scoring runs while at it proved yet again to be detrimental to India's cause. After a painful 112 minutes at the crease had yielded a miserly 17 runs, Dravid inside edged a straight ball from Cronje to Boucher behind the stumps. At 58/3 India were clearly on the back foot.

With an awkward few minutes to play out before lunch Mohammed Azharuddin began his comeback bid. Safely through to lunch, India were 59/3 with Azhar just off the mark and Tendulkar on 15.

Soon after lunch there was bad news for India as Azharuddin fell just when he looked good. Playing one dashing drive off the back foot that sizzled through the covers for four. Allan Donald was not impressed at all and fired the ball in short next up. Azhar took the bait, fended at the ball and presented Lance Klusener at gully with the simplest of catches.

One Mohammed was replaced by another as young Kaif walked out to the middle to play his first Test innings. Kaif's trial by fire began immediately as Donald gave him a good working over. Peppering the debutant with short pitched stuff, Donald let more than a few words fly. Unshaken by it all, Kaif defended solidly.

Sachin Tendulkar once again faced the task of propping up the Indian innings. On this occasion however, he simply could not go on. Attempting to pull a Hayward bouncer, Tendulkar was late on the ball. Beaten for pace Tendulkar went through with the shot and ended up hitting the ball towards mid off. The ball struck the bat high up on the blade and ballooned towards the South African captain. Running in from mid off, Cronje took a good diving catch and sent Tendulkar on his way. Tendulkar had made 21 runs.

Nayan Mongia joined Kaif in the middle, showed good spirit and took on the South African bowlers. Making room for himself, Mongia punched the ball well through the off side.

Scoring at just over two runs an over, India brought up its hundred in the 49th over.

Though he was not scoring, Kaif looked solid till he was trapped plumb in front by Jacques Kallis. Playing around the ball, Kaif was rapped on the pads by a delivery that came in just a shade. Having made a patient 12 runs, a distinctly disappointed Kaif made the long walk to the pavilion as Anil Kumble came in.

Kumble used his height to good advantage, getting a long stride in for almost every delivery. With Mongia unbeaten on 19 and India at 113/6 tea was taken.

Anil Kumble hasn't made a decent score in a while now. Luckily for the Indian team, he chose today to show that he could wield the willow. While all around him floundered, Kumble batted out till he ran out of partners. Kumble simplified his batting style to suit the conditions and was by far the most effective batsman of the lot. South Africa bowled a good line through the day, making it difficult for the Indians. The Indians in turn batted irresponsibly, losing wickets to loose shots.

Nikhil Chopra attempted to keep Kumble company but the South African stranglehold proved too strong. Attempting to break the shackles, Chopra drove a well pitched up delivery straight down Pollock's throat at mid on. Murali Kartik sent ahead of Javagal Srinath did not last long. Kumble played the ball down to mid on and set of for a quick single. By the time Kartik ambled lazily to the 'keeper's end, Boucher had whipped bails off following a hard, flat throw from Pollock.

The last man in, Javagal Srinath had a few wild swipes at Nicky Boje, but did not connect on any occasion. Kumble meanwhile had accumulated 36 runs, fifteen runs more than Tendulkar, the next highest scorer.

Srinath finally ran out of patience and tried to turn a Pollock delivery to the on side. Closing the face of the bat too early, Srinath watched in disappointment as the ball flew off the outside edge to the gully region. Diving to his right Gibbs held a good catch ending the Indian innings at a disappointing 158 all out.

When South Africa came out to bat needing to see off just five overs, there was a buzz in the ground. Going into the game with only one medium pacer prompted India to open the bowling with Srinath and Kumble. Srinath looked sharp in the two overs he bowled, beat the outside edge, but could not force the breakthrough. Kumble at the other end, gave India the start they needed, trapping Herschelle Gibbs plumb in front. A straight, fast delivery caught Gibbs unawares and umpire Russel Tiffen was in agreement with the Indians.

Nicky Boje was sent in as nightwatchman and with Gary Kirsten saw South Africa through to stumps without further damage. South Africa will be disappointed, ending the day on 11/1. However the day definitely belonged to South Africa and they will be fighting hard to post a solid total tomorrow.

Day2: South Africa set up victory platform

Adopting a thoroughly professional approach, South Africa played themselves into a winning position at close of play on the second day of the second Test against India at the Chinnaswamy stadium in Bangalore on Friday. Replying to the Indians' highly inadequate first innings total of 158, South Africa were 254 for three when stumps were drawn.

India's only crumb of comfort was again provided by Anil Kumble. After top scoring with 36 not out on Thursday, he captured all the three wickets that fell in the South African innings. But that was little solace against the batting might of the visitors. All the main batsmen, Gary Kirsten, Daryll Cullinan, Jacques Kallis were among the runs. But the Indian plight was best symbolised by nightwatchman Nicky Boje who scored 85 off 198 balls.

The morning session seemed to suggest that there was no devil in the pitch. Boje batted with the kind of ease that no Indian top order batsman displayed. He tackled the spinners without any trouble, hardly giving away any chances. At the other end, Kirsten was determined not to lose his wicket. Playing predominantly with a straight bat, he nudged his way on.

With Kirsten playing so solidly, Boje could afford to be more positive. Using the sweep shot to great advantage, Boje disturbed the spinners' rhythm. The spinners made the mistake of bowling without discipline and this eased the pressure on the South Africans.

The virtue of giving nothing away was highlighted when Boje reached his half century just before lunch. His fifty came off 112 balls and included five boundaries.

At lunch, Boje and Kirsten were motoring along, having taken South Africa to 104/1.

The session between lunch and tea was one that highlighted the gap between the two teams. The South Africans drove home their advantage in the most professional manner. Boje dropped the idea that he was sent in as a nightwatchman and played like a top order batsman. Stroking the ball with remarkable ease, Boje justified his selection over Clive Eksteen. Boje has been considered primarily a limited overs player and this innings should go a long way in furthering his career in Test cricket.

Murali Kartik and Nikhil Chopra were generally ineffective. Only on one occasion did Kartik trouble the batsmen. Getting a ball to turn sharply off the wicket, Kartik beat Kirsten all ends up. The ball narrowly past the stumps and ran away for four. Chopra however could not bother the South Africans.

It must be admitted that the pitch played true the whole time. The South Africans had nothing to complain about for while there was turn, it was slow and predictable.

Tendulkar brought himself on in an attempt to break the partnership. Bowling to two left handers, Tendulkar employed his off spinners but found that the batsmen were able to get comfortably on the front foot.

Kumble finally gave the fans something to cheer about in the 65th over when he got rid of the nightwatchman. It was probably a case of too little too late as Boje had already accumulated 85. A quick delivery from Kumble got through his defences. Boje�s innings had seen South Africa past the Indian total for the loss of just one wicket.

Kallis came in at the fall of Boje�s wicket and continued the good work. After playing an important role in South Africa�s victory at Mumbai, Kallis would understand what it takes to bat in Indian conditions. At tea, South Africa were in a strong position at 185/2. Kirsten was soldiering manfully on at 78.

After tea the South Africans lost the important wicket of Kirsten, but that only added to India's woes. Having made a patient 79, Kirsten got a ball from Kumble that jumped off the wicket and struck him on the pad. Rolling up off the pad, the ball brushed the left hander's glove and went to Wasim Jaffer at forward short leg, who snapped the catch up and sent Kirsten on his way. Kirsten's innings was the backbone of the South African innings. His solid defense blunted the attack over after over.

Cullinan who missed out on the first Test due to injury came in next and was in supreme form. Though Srinath discovered some good form with the ball shortly after tea, Cullinan was up to the task. Srinath got the ball to move well off the wicket and beat the bat on more than one occasion. Getting no results for his efforts, Srinath pitched the ball up and was promptly driven away for runs. Cullinan used his wrists to great effect and whipped the ball away on the leg side with ease.

As his confidence grew, Cullinan began to use his feet more to the spinners. Kumble found himself at the receiving end at his home ground as Cullinan made room and hit him for a huge six straight down the ground. That shot was indicative of the South African's continued domination. Having set up the match in a winning position, the South Africans walked off the field having played themselves into a commanding position. Cullinan was going strong on 46, albeit with a runner and Kallis was solid as ever with 21.

Day3: South Africa all set to move in for the kill

The morning was spent sharpening nails. After all, that's all South Africa need to do now. Put the lid on the coffin and slam the nails home.

Resuming with a lead of almost a hundred, South Africa made steady and occasionally even brisk progress. Daryll Cullinan showed his aggressive intent yesterday and today he continued in the same vein. After getting to his half century, Cullinan lost his wicket. The fall of Cullinan's wicket was completely against the grain of play. Just when things were looking good for the Gauteng batsman, he was undone by a Kumble delivery. As is becoming customary on tracks like these, the ball bobbled off the bat to the fielder standing close, Wasim Jaffer in this case.

Cullinan's 53 included five boundaries and that unforgettable straight six off Kumble.

Lance Klusener, who has not looked at ease with the bat all tour came in next. Indian bowling 'attacks' have a habit of bringing struggling batsmen back to form. Today was no exception. Klusener got a good measure of the Indian bowling on a wicket that was slow and low. Though the ball was turning, it was only slow, predictable turn and Klusener had no difficulty in picking his spots and scoring fluently.

At the other end, Kallis brought up his half century with a big six. Kallis has played the sheet anchor role to perfection on this tour and he continues to the same. The Indians will have to dislodge him in a hurry if they want to control the damage done by the South Africans.

At lunch, the South African lead was pushed to 186, with Klusener blasting along at 44 off just 68 balls. Kallis, steady as ever, had 59 runs to his name.

The period from lunch to tea was one long wait for the declaration as far as the Indians were concerned. Kallis and Klusener had a good spell at the wicket, pushing the South African scoring on without taking any undue risks. Only once did the ball actually take the edge, off the bowling of Murali Kartik. Realising the fruitlessness of bowling a negative line, Kartik gave the ball a bit of air and extracted the extra bounce and turn that the wicket afforded. The ball caught the outside edge of Kallis' bat and Mongia pouched the catch. Despite vehement appeals from all the Indians, umpire Russel Tiffen was unmoved.

After that hiccup, the South Africans motored steadily along till tea. At tea, they had notched up a lead of 251. Kallis had 83 to his name and Klusener followed closely behind with 81.

Having waited all day for Klusener and Kallis to reach their centuries, and following that the South African declaration, spectators had more waiting to do. In tragic fashion, both Klusener and Kallis fell short of the mark. Having done all the hard work, both South African batsmen fell to the Indian spinners.

Klusener was the first to go, driving a ball from Kartik straight to Tendulkar at mid off. In the end it was a soft dismissal, after what had been a fighting innings from a man who struggled with the bat in recent innings. Klusener's 97 came off 169 balls.

Kallis was easily the more solid of the pair that put on a 164 run partnership. However, his caution might just have deprived him of a Test century on Indian soil. Dabbing at a ball from Kumble, that perhaps did a little more than he expected, Kallis presented Jaffer with a simple catch under the helmet. Kallis fell just 5 runs short of his hundred.

After the two well set batsmen were dismissed, the wickets fell in quick succession. Having bowled long spells without reward, Kumble and Kartik finally got their names on the scoreboard for the right reasons. Having done the lion share of the bowling, Kumble ended the day with figures of 67-15-136-5. Kartik was less successful, and 49-10-123-2 would have hardly been the returns he hoped for.

Ending the day on 472/8, an overnight declaration is inevitable. This will mean India have to score 314 to avoid innings defeat. With such a massive lead, it was surprising that the South Africans even batted as long as they did. However, one thing emerges strongly from this exercise: the Indians, with three spinners, on a spinning track, will have to produce a batting miracle to save this match. All is not well with Indian cricket.

Day4: Azhar stands in the way of South African whitewash

The fourth day should have seen the end of the second Test match. Having bundled out India cheaply in the first innings there was no reason for people to expect any less from them in the second essay. However, the pitch had lowed down considerably and there was almost nothing in it for the fast bowlers. Bowling a good line and length would be crucial.

By not declaring on their overnight score, South Africa kept everyone guessing. India were quick to polish of the last two South African wickets. By this time, South Africa had accumulated a lead of 321. Almost twice what India made in the first innings. There was almost no concievable way in which India could win this match. To just save it would require a Herculean effort.

Wasim Jaffer looked in good nick early on, especially so when the ball was pitched on leg stump. Flicking the ball through the onside with ease, Jaffer made 23 including five boundaries before he was dismissed by Nicky Boje. Boje then accounted for the struggling Rahul Dravid and Sourav Ganguly.

With the top three gone, the onus was once again on Sachin Tendulkar to take India towards safety. Tendulkar blunted the spin of Boje well, but pace at the other end proved to be his undoing. Allan Donald won another round of his ongoing battle with the Indian captain when he had him caught at gully. Chasing a wide delivery that he should have left well alone, Tendulkar edged the ball straight to Gibbs. Not one to drop catches like that one, Gibbs pouched the catch and celebrated wildly with the rest of the South Africans.

The South Africans knew the importance of getting Tendulkar out early. It was obvious that they saw that the first obstacle in their way was surmounted. The stadium was abuzz with talk that the Indian innings would soon be over.

The two Mohammeds of Indian cricket today - Azharuddin and Kaif showed that there was srill fight left in the Indians. Playing with maturity far beyond his years, Kaif applied himself impeccably to the task at hand. Mixing abundant caution with a sprinkling of caution, Kaif was going strong when he was adjudged LBW. Kallis bowled a good line and this held him in good stead. Kaif looked distinctly disappointed as the umpire took his time before declaring Kaif out. He made 23 and certainly looked good for more.

At the other end Azharuddin was playing one of his best innings in recent times. Getting close to his fifty with some solid defense, Azhar finally cut loose. Taking on Nicky Boje, Azhar used his feet well, coming down the wicket and hit Boje for a six and a four on the trot.

Nayan Mongia was struggling with a bad back, and first innings top scorer for India Anil Kumble was sent to join Azhar at the fall of Kaif's wicket. Kumble complemented Azhar perfectly and used a straight bat to keep out the South Africans. At stumps on the fourth day, Azhar was going strong on 73 and Kumble kept him good company on 14. With five wickets in hand, India trailed by 125 runs.

Tomorrow, is Sachin Tendulkar's last day as Indian captain. It remains to be seen whether Azhar can make a big hundred and work his way back into the hot seat of Indian captaincy.

Day5: Azhar makes century as India lose by an innings and 71 runs

South Africa needed just eleven overs to close the game. Mohammed Azharuddin, making a comback at the age of thirty seven, dazzled from the start. Taking the attack to Nicky Boje, a flurry of boundaries took Azhar to his century. But India were neck deep in trouble by that stage. There was never going to be any match saving innings. Only consolation for what has been a comprehensive 2-0 victory for the South Africans.

Continuing in an aggressive vein, Azhar was caught pulling a Pollock delivery straight to Gary Kirsten. Azhar�s 102 included 13 boundaries and 2 sixes, reminding everybody that there were no gremlins in this wicket.

After Azhar�s dismissal, the innings folded up quickly. Kumble�s resistance was ended by Boje, who was enjoying superb form with the ball. Trapping Kumble plumb in front, Boje picked up his fifth wicket of the innings. Kumble had made a valuable 28. Murali Kartik lasted just 5 balls before he holed out to Herschelle Gibbs, again of the bowling of Boje.

When Donald had Chopra caught behind, there was obvious joy in the South African ranks. With Nayan Mongia unable to bat due to injury, it really was all over for the Indians.

Defeat by an innings and 71 runs ended a series without joy for the Indians.

Nicky Boje was deserving man of the match for his 85 as nightwatchman and match figures of 7/93. Jacques Kallis was by far the most consistent player in the series and he walked away with the man of the series award.

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