Was this Test Cricket or was it Joke ? | Unpredictable Pitch
The ongoing series between South Africa and India witnessed a peculiar twist in the narrative, where the battle between bat and ball became a game of chance. In this roller-coaster ride, only a handful of batters managed to defy the odds, turning the spectacle into a statistical anomaly.
The Jinxed Pitches: Déjà vu in Cape Town
The cricketing history between South Africa and India seems to cast a spell on the pitches. Recall the 2017-18 series when Faf du Plessis had a public spat with the groundsmen, leading to extreme pitch conditions. Fast forward to the present series, and the déjà vu is unmistakable. Two successive pitches have swung the balance so drastically that batsmen find themselves contemplating byes with the ball safely in the wicketkeeper’s gloves. Rohit Sharma, one of the few to cross the 20-run mark, opted for an ODI-like approach, realizing the value of each run on these unpredictable surfaces.
Mayhem Unleashed: A Day of Wickets
In the cricketing world, the sight of 23 wickets tumbling in a single day is akin to chaos in the stands. Picture the reactions to a three-day finish on turning tracks – that’s the mayhem we’re talking about. Former South African captain Shaun Pollock voiced his concerns about the pitches, and all eyes turned to ICC match referee Chris Broad, who surprisingly deemed the Centurion pitch “good” despite its challenging nature.
Pitch Analysis: The Quandary of Quicker Pitches
Unlike the previous match, catches were at a premium, putting more pressure on the batsmen to avoid errors. The collapse of the Indian innings from 153 for 4 to 153 all out showcased the unforgiving nature of the conditions, making the pre-match talk about building partnerships and scoreboard pressure seem like a distant echo.
Bowlers’ Delight: Ngidi’s Rollercoaster Ride
The unpredictability of the pitches revealed itself in the performance of bowlers. Lungi Ngidi, after conceding 30 runs in his first five overs, orchestrated a remarkable comeback with three wickets in six balls. This wasn’t a case of careless batting; instead, it was the ball wreaking havoc both horizontally and vertically. In Test cricket, witnessing a bowler claim three wickets in an over after an expensive start is a scenario that raises eyebrows.
Strategic Dilemma: Home Advantage or Hindrance?
The critical question arises – are these challenging pitches a deliberate strategy by the home team? Examining the data reveals that India tends to struggle against the host nation once the newness of the ball wears off. By tilting the pitch heavily in favor of the bowlers, the groundsmen seem to eliminate India’s natural weakness in these conditions. The decision to bowl out South Africa for 23.2 overs in Centurion emphasized that there was no need to rely on older balls for movement.
India’s Tactical Adaptations: A Mixed Bag
India, in response to the unique pitch challenges, made strategic adjustments. The introduction of a Vernon Philander-like seam bowler in Mukesh Kumar, who extracted considerable movement due to his upright seam, was a testament to their adaptability. The accuracy with the ball in the initial exchanges mirrored their approach in Centurion. However, the edges that kept finding the field highlighted the fine line between success and failure on these tricky surfaces.
Batting Resilience: A Statistical Perspective
As the Indian batsmen faced the daunting task of survival, their approach stood out. Leaving more balls alone compared to South Africa, they opted for a balanced strategy of attack and defense. Despite a collapse that restricted their lead, India found themselves in a favorable position with 36 runs in hand and three second-innings wickets already claimed. However, on this unpredictable pitch, predicting outcomes becomes as challenging as facing a fiery spell from a world-class bowler.
