South Africa beat India by an innings and 6 runs in Nagpur Test

Mahendra Singh Dhoni did break into a smile on a couple of occasions while explaining the reasons for India’s loss in the first Test. The innings and six-run margin is of embarrassing proportions. India’s defense of their No.1 spot has its foundations on shaky ground going into the Eden Gardens Test. South Africa have one hand on the mace handed over to the best side in the world.

“We were outplayed in most of the departments… batting you can say… bowling and also the fielding,” Dhoni said. His side never really threatened the dominance of the South Africans in spite of centuries from Virender Sehwag in the first innings and Sachin Tendulkar in the second.

However, it was early on Day Three that Dhoni’s side took body blows from which they never really recovered. They lost Gautam Gambhir, Murali Vijay and Sachin Tendulkar early in the day and they did not have the partnerships on which foundations for Test win are laid. The best was a 136-run effort between Sehwag and Badrinath in the first innings and the next best was 69 between
Zaheer Khan and Wriddhiman Saha while following on.

It was clear that without Rahul Dravid at No.3 and VVS Laxman down the order, the Indian batting line-up doesn’t worry the opposition as much, especially when the openers fail. In this game Gautam Gambhir experienced rare failure after a good run and once Tendulkar fell in the first innings there wasn’t much to fall back upon for Virender Sehwag.

Tendulkar required a rock solid partner at the other end while playing out his century. Dhoni was tentative for 144 balls and the rest never really inspired confidence.

Murali Vijay didn’t get going at the No.3 spot. S Badrinath is a smart batsman who has expanded his repertoire of shots. But both will need more time at the highest level to get a feel of things and increase their confidence.

In a scenario where India may have to soon play without two of their three great middle-order batsmen, the future stock, in spite of their best efforts, doesn’t look ready to step up to the next level.  

“You miss players because of injuries. This was the best available squad. These were the best players… this is your bench strength. I won’t complain about that,” Dhoni said. On the debutants, Dhoni added: “Wriddhiman got a brilliant delivery in the first innings and Badrinath also looked quite calm and composed, his approach to Test cricket was good, and in a way it was good for them because they got an opportunity because most of the time middle-order batsmen don’t get an opportunity to play in this Indian team. Of course we missed the experienced players.” The Eden is a grand setting. It’ll demand something special from the Indians.