Cricket-Match-Special ... A forum for discussion

Fri, 14 Nov '25
1st Test • Eden Gardens, November 14 - 18, 2025, South Africa tour of India
India
South Africa

Sat, 22 Nov '25
2nd Test • Guwahati, November 22 - 26, 2025, South Africa tour of India
India
South Africa

Sun, 30 Nov '25
1st ODI (D/N) • Ranchi, South Africa tour of India
India
South Africa

Wed, 03 Dec '25
2nd ODI (D/N) • Raipur, South Africa tour of India
India
South Africa

Sat, 06 Dec '25
3rd ODI (D/N) • Visakhapatnam, South Africa tour of India
India
South Africa

Tue, 09 Dec '25
1st T20I (N) • Cuttack, South Africa tour of India
India
South Africa

Thu, 11 Dec '25
2nd T20I (N) • New Chandigarh, South Africa tour of India
India
South Africa

Sun, 14 Dec '25
3rd T20I (N) • Dharamsala, South Africa tour of India
India
South Africa

Wed, 17 Dec '25
4th T20I (N) • Lucknow, South Africa tour of India
India
South Africa

Fri, 19 Dec '25
5th T20I (N) • Ahmedabad, South Africa tour of India
India
South Africa

South Africa 159 all out

Markram 31

Bumrah 5-27
Kuldeep 2-36
Siraj 2-47

Can't see this test lasting past day 3.

9 wickets out bowled/lbw tells the story of the pitch... the older the ball got, the more it skidded on pitching and kept low, with the odd one also trampolining too. Not very encouraging 20-30 overs into a test match to see such erratic pitches. I could say it was the older ball, but then Jaiswal got out trying to cut a ball that also didn't get up to the height he expected. So I guess the pitch is just eroding quickly.

Still, the SA top order should be ashamed. Mulder especially got out to a poor shot.

Interesting to see India playing Sundar at 3. I guess his performance in England with the bat has convinced the selectors he is a true test match batsman, but batting 8 compared to batting 3 is a different kettle of fish, so who knows.

Over rate today was absolutely shambolic.

India 189 all out

Rahul 39

Harmer 4-30
Jansen 3-35

I dislike pitches where not one batsman can score a first innings half century.

I am not sure if its the same guy, but the Kolkata pitch curator has in the past be legendarily difficult when it comes to producing decent wickets. The BCCI have demanded better wickets from the venue, but he always sticks two fingers up and tells them hes the expert.

Maybe he should listen, because surfaces like this arent exactly a spectacle for the game

Spin with the new ball, and now spin at both ends quickly.... South Africa still behind with both openers back in the hutch.

sussexpob wrote:
Over rate today was absolutely shambolic.

TBF the over rate probably doesn't matter in a three day Test match.

South Africa struggling to reach 100.

mikesiva wrote: TBF the over rate probably doesn't matter in a three day Test match.

True. This could be over in one session

South Africa 153 all out

Bavuma 55*

Jadeja 4-50
Siraj 2-2
Kuldeep 2-30

Target 124

A half century!

India 93 all out

Sundar 31

Harmer 4-21
Jansen 2-15
Maharaj 2-37

South Africa won by 30 runs.

That looks a hell of a game. Well done to SA, a win in India is worthy of respect.

This should have been three Tests.

They could have done away with an ODI and two T20s, and still finished before Christmas.

Last test SA won in India was 2010. After that test, SA played 8 tests. Out of these 8 tests, SA lost 7 and drawn 1 test. It was a great win for SA given their record in India. To win that without Kagiso Rabada who is one of the three best test pace bowlers right now must have been very encouraging for them. Well done

As for India, NZ had won the historic test series in India by 3-0. The worst loss in Indian test cricket history. With that in mind and SA being the WTC winners, it was not going to be one-sided at all.The situation is so bad now that India need to avoid this whitewash. SA white washing India at home will just make the picture clear. India's home record which was exemplary has taken a severe beating. Even a win will not sort out that record but we really do need to win this test.

Is Gill looking like being fit again soon? Not the first time he's had this neck issue...