In the recently concluded series against South Africa, India won it 3-0. There was a lot of speculation on how South Africa would play spin bowling. However, it was the quicks that destroyed their batting in the third Test match in Ranchi. Looked like their overcompensation to prepare for spin saw them capitulate to genuine fast bowling, reports Vijayhardik, exclusively for Different Truths.

On the fourth day of play, in the third Test between India and South Africa at Ranchi, India required two more wickets to complete a 3-0 whitewash of South Africa. It took India exactly two overs and 10 minutes to wrap up the formalities.

This was the first time a visiting South African Test team was whitewashed in India.

Coming into the series, there was a lot of chatter about how the pitches would behind this time around. The last time South Africa toured India, the pitches were under scrutiny for their uneven bounce and assisting the spin way too early in the game.

Coming into the series, there was a lot of chatter about how the pitches would behind this time around. The last time South Africa toured India, the pitches were under scrutiny for their uneven bounce and assisting the spin way too early in the game. Another issue doing the rounds was the ability of South African batsmen to tackle spin. It is a common concern attached to sides touring the subcontinent.

Spin was the buzzword for the South African batsmen. In the first Test at Visakhapatnam, it was evidently clear that the batsmen of the touring side worked hard on their game to combat the threat posed by the Indian spinners. In response to the mammoth 500 plus total posed by India, South African batsmen led by Dean Elgar, who impressed with his counter-attacking game against Ashwin after a disastrous tour of 2015, scored a scintillating 160 and was ably supported by Quinton de Kock who scored a quick, stroke-filled century.

That was only time South Africa gave a fight to the Indian cricket team in the series. After that it has been one-way traffic with India dominating the proceedings

That was only time South Africa gave a fight to the Indian cricket team in the series. After that it has been one-way traffic with India dominating the proceedings in all departments of the game.

By the time the teams reached Ranchi, India had mentally drained the fight out of both the batting and bowling units of South Africa. A double century from Mayank and two centuries from Rohit Sharma pulled the rug from under Proteas feet in Visakhapatnam. In Pune, Indian skipper Virat Kohli had put on a masterclass with a magnificent double hundred and batting South Africa out of the game.

India already had the Freedom Trophy in the kitty which was being played in honour of Mahatma Gandhi and Nelson Mandela, two individuals who shaped the history of their respective countries.

Continuing his good spell with calling the coin correct, India decided to bat first after Kohli won the toss. After the utter domination of the Indian batting in the previous two Tests, everyone expected the same to repeat in Ranchi.

Continuing his good spell with calling the coin correct, India decided to bat first after Kohli won the toss. After the utter domination of the Indian batting in the previous two Tests, everyone expected the same to repeat in Ranchi. However, under dark skies with the ball doing a bit in the air and some assistance off the pitch, the South African bowlers dealt India early blows.

For the first time in the series, the Indian batting was under the pump. In a spot of bother at 39/3, losing the wickets of Mayank, Pujara and Kohli, the Indian batting unit had a challenge on their hands. Rohit Sharma coming off a forgettable batting performance in Pune and Rahane whose place in the team was coming under question had the responsibility to take the team to safer shores.

The two Mumbai lads stitched together a partnership of 267 runs for the fourth wicket. Both completed their centuries in the process. Even after Rahane got out, Rohit continued to pile the runs and got to his maiden double century.

They took to the responsibility with aplomb. The two Mumbai lads stitched together a partnership of 267 runs for the fourth wicket. Both completed their centuries in the process. Even after Rahane got out, Rohit continued to pile the runs and got to his maiden double century. His promotion to the top of the order has changed his fortunes in Test cricket.

After he holed out trying to score quick runs, the Indian innings too came sooner to an end declaring the innings at 497/9. It was another tiring fielding effort by the Proteas.

With another prolonged fielding effort, a fatigued South African batting unit saw themselves crumbling to the sheer pace and swing of the Indian fast bowlers Umesh and Shami.

With another prolonged fielding effort, a fatigued South African batting unit saw themselves crumbling to the sheer pace and swing of the Indian fast bowlers Umesh and Shami. South African batsmen used to play menacing fast bowling on bouncy pitches back home, failed to handle the pace of Indian fast bowlers. They proved to be too hot to handle.

Comparing it to the Indian Central Board tenth grade examinations, the South African prepared quite well for the HOTS (Higher Order Thinking Skills) questions which basically is the spin bowling of the Indians but failed to prepare for the other easy questions which is the fast bowling which they are used to playing regularly in South Africa.

The capitulation of the South African batting in both the innings, the second innings enforced via following-on, was quite deplorable to watch. Fans do want their nation to win but they too expect to see a good game of cricket.

The capitulation of the South African batting in both the innings, the second innings enforced via following-on, was quite deplorable to watch. Fans do want their nation to win but they too expect to see a good game of cricket. Here, in Ranchi, South Africa folded like a pack of cards. If not for some lower resistance in both the innings from George Linde, South Africa would have plummeted to their lowest totals.

India bundled out South Africa for 189 in the first innings. Bavuma and Hamza put up some fight in the first innings and tried to get South Africa into the game but with no batsmen supporting them, it proved to be a difficult task. In the second innings, the batsmen failed to turn up at all for work leaving South Africa tottering at 36/5. The lower order batsmen using the long handle to hit some lusty blows saved South Africa the blushes. By the end of day’s play, they were on the cusp of an impending whitewash at the hands of the Indians.

India got the last two wickets in quick succession in the second over of today’s play off consecutive deliveries off debutant Shahbaz Nadeem

India got the last two wickets in quick succession in the second over of today’s play off consecutive deliveries off debutant Shahbaz Nadeem and completing a dominant performance with a victory an innings and 202 runs. The victory put India way ahead on the leader board of World Test Championship with a huge gulf in points with respect to the second placed side.

Photos sourced by the author from the Internet