I am very happy

[rkt.india]

I do not know why people are so unhappy. People just need to remember what we did on last 2 away tours with our all time great batsmen. This young group of batsmen has exceeded our expectations against the best fast bowling attack in the world. Some of these batsmen had played a handful of matches. They had ODI experience but ODIs are completely different to ho you play in test matches and not all successful ODI batsmen can be good in test cricket. Yes bowling was poor, but it has always been our Achilles heals but we should take the positive that we have some young batsmen who can fight it out and not surrender like our fading ATGs did on last 2 away tours. This is just a beginning for this team and these young batsmen, pretty much unproven in test arena, did not do any harm to their reputation.

[NareshK]

350 is a good score on most tracks...may not be a big one. And that's my point - it is to make a good score in your first dig. My point is about putting up a good first innings total. 350 is a guideline not a rule. But you would find that teams that score 350 in their first dig don't end up on the losing side often. The reason SA is the number 1 team in the world is because they score 350 in their first dig more than other teams do. This allows their bowlers the freedom to go after the opposition. Of course they also have the bowlers who can defend even below 300 first innings scores. But when their batting ensures that defeat is more or less out of the question, the bowling ensures that victory is the only option left. If we have to be number 1 then we need that kinda mindset. And I am not happy settling for number 2.

Give me a break. You are comparing some of the most experienced batsmen like Smith, Kallis, ABDV batting in their home conditions with Indian batsmen who have just started out in tests against a top bowling attack. In their first real outing overseas, they have done a great job and Indian batsmen are the top 3 run getters in this series and have done better than their SA counterparts. I'm amazed anyone would point a finger at our batting effort in this series. I just think you lack perspective and context when you are comparing.

[Vijay.Sharma]

I do not know why people are so unhappy. People just need to remember what we did on last 2 away tours with our all time great batsmen. This young group of batsmen has exceeded our expectations against the best fast bowling attack in the world. Some of these batsmen had played a handful of matches. They had ODI experience but ODIs are completely different to ho you play in test matches and not all successful ODI batsmen can be good in test cricket. Yes bowling was poor, but it has always been our Achilles heals but we should take the positive that we have some young batsmen who can fight it out and not surrender like our fading ATGs did on last 2 away tours. This is just a beginning for this team and these young batsmen, pretty much unproven in test arena, did not do any harm to their reputation.

Give me a break. You are comparing some of the most experienced batsmen like Smith, Kallis, ABDV batting in their home conditions with Indian batsmen who have just started out in tests against a top bowling attack. In their first real outing overseas, they have done a great job and Indian batsmen are the top 3 run getters in this series and have done better than their SA counterparts. I'm amazed anyone would point a finger at our batting effort in this series. I just think you lack perspective and context when you are comparing.

Ok lemme clarify. I am not unhappy with our batting in this series. But I am not overly happy either. Can a person not have a neutral point of view? Why must it be happy or unhappy? Let me also clarify where I am coming from. Unnecessary praise of our batting effort is not going to help. Let us praise them when they do something truly great. A pat on the back for a good deed is enough. No need to go overboard saying "o y'all are a young batting unit, no one expected you to even stand up and fight but you guys did great...y'all are really great". Let's say "well done boys, but we expect better next time". Edit - And I don't think this view lacks perspective or context. If it did then I would be thrashing the batting effort as hopeless no-gooders, which I am not. Do you understand me?

[asterix]

KT.. All these dramabaazi doesn't suits you... You're trying very hard... You are not at all happy...

[Bumper]

Agree with the OP. No one gave this a team ****ing chance. In fact supposedly better Indian teams have gone to South Africa and gotten their ***** whooped. I am very happy to see Kohli & Pujara perform the way they have done. These guys showed more fight than what Tendulkar & Dravid usually manage in South African tours. Vijay & Rahane were huge surprises. I thought both had great potential when they started their careers, but felt that both lost their way playing T20 cricket. This tour has shown they both have more to offer. A 100 would have given them a lot of confidence, too bad neither could get past that elusive milestone. Poor outing with the ball was more of a case of bad selection than bad performance. You dont expect Zaheer, Ishant, Ashwin & Shami to take 20 wickets. I don't know the point of picking Zaheer when the general theme behind the selection seems rebuilding. Umesh Yadav should have played. We are still a couple of pacers short (i dont think BK with his wiry frame will last too long at this level & we need more bench strength). If Jadeja can develop a bit more brain and temperament with the bat and average in the 20s and pick up a couple of wickets, he'll be a useful no. 7 who will lend more balance to the side. Overall i think we are more like 2-3 players away from a competitive test side. We have built good momentum, have to keep it going.

[bihutoli]

If this results in the ouster of Dhoni, Zaheer and Ishant from the test team I for one will be very happy.

[rkt.india]

Ok lemme clarify. I am not unhappy with our batting in this series. But I am not overly happy either. Can a person not have a neutral point of view? Why must it be happy or unhappy? Let me also clarify where I am coming from. Unnecessary praise of our batting effort is not going to help. Let us praise them when they do something truly great. A pat on the back for a good deed is enough. No need to go overboard saying "o y'all are a young batting unit, no one expected you to even stand up and fight but you guys did great...y'all are really great". Let's say "well done boys, but we expect better next time". If you guys have a problem with my viewpoint then so be it.

I do not think everyone is completely happy, but it is a start for a new team and it is still in a rebuilding phase. I think it is not our batting which let us down even in the loss, but our bowling. On a pitch where most of our bowlers especially Zak an Ishant looked so innocuous, Styen, Morkel, and Philander were breathing fire. You could see the stark different in two attacks and that is what proved the difference in end. I blame fast bowlers that they let them score 500 on a pitch where SA bowlers made our batsman's life so difficult. Look at the aggressive instinct and hostility of SA attack and look at our bowlers serving them gentle pies trying to hit top of off and bowling half volleys. We need to bring that instinct in our fast bowlers. We sat a genuine fast bowlers on the bench saying he is wayward and picked others because they could hit top of off and bowl economically, which we saw how many times they hit top of off, but what is being economically good when they cannot pick wickets. The genuine fast bowler may leak runs, may be wayward, but he will bowl a few aggressive spells, a few good bouncers, which may unsettle batsmen and may keep batsmen uncertain about things which may benefit him or bowlers from the other end.

[CG]

Agree with the OP. No one gave this a team ****ing chance. In fact supposedly better Indian teams have gone to South Africa and gotten their ***** whooped. I am very happy to see Kohli & Pujara perform the way they have done. These guys showed more fight than what Tendulkar & Dravid usually manage in South African tours. Vijay & Rahane were huge surprises. I thought both had great potential when they started their careers, but felt that both lost their way playing T20 cricket. This tour has shown they both have more to offer. A 100 would have given them a lot of confidence, too bad neither could get past that elusive milestone. Poor outing with the ball was more of a case of bad selection than bad performance. You dont expect Zaheer, Ishant, Ashwin & Shami to take 20 wickets. I don't know the point of picking Zaheer when the general theme behind the selection seems rebuilding. Umesh Yadav should have played. We are still a couple of pacers short (i dont think BK with his wiry frame will last too long at this level & we need more bench strength). If Jadeja can develop a bit more brain and temperament with the bat and average in the 20s and pick up a couple of wickets, he'll be a useful no. 7 who will lend more balance to the side. Overall i think we are more like 2-3 players away from a competitive test side. We have built good momentum, have to keep it going.

we forgotten 2006,2011.2001,1997 so soon.

[CG]

I do not think everyone is completely happy, but it is a start for a new team and it is still in a rebuilding phase. I think it is not our batting which let us down even in the loss, but our bowling. On a pitch where most of our bowlers especially Zak an Ishant looked so innocuous, Styen, Morkel, and Philander were breathing fire. You could see the stark different in two attacks and that is what proved the difference in end. I blame fast bowlers that they let them score 500 on a pitch where SA bowlers made our batsman's life so difficult. Look at the aggressive instinct and hostility of SA attack and look at our bowlers serving them gentle pies trying to hit top of off and bowling half volleys. We need to bring that instinct in our fast bowlers. We sat a genuine fast bowlers on the bench saying he is wayward and picked others because they could hit top of off and bowl economically, which we saw how many times they hit top of off, but what is being economically good when they cannot pick wickets. The genuine fast bowler may leak runs, may be wayward, but he will bowl a few aggressive spells, a few good bouncers, which may unsettle batsmen and may keep batsmen uncertain about things which may benefit him or bowlers from the other end.

The pitches were no where near usual sa pitches which helped our bating and hindered our bowling.

[King Tendulkar]

Let me quote the The Times newspaper in UK this morning who hate Indian team, sums up my feelings for this young team on its first overseas tour against best team in the world " Despite the result, India will take something from the series. They outplayed the home team for most of the first game and enjoyed good moments in the second despite unfamiliar and challenging conditions" We going to have some fun times over next few years guys, will be ups and downs, but am sure many more ups. Cant wait for upcoming year and tours of NZ, Eng and Aus. I am excited now and optimistic

[rkt.india]

The pitches were no where near usual sa pitches which helped our bating and hindered our bowling.

Wanderers pitch was good for bowling and I believe it was effort which we lacked. Look at Steyn, the intense hostility he showed at Durban was unbelievable. They hit the deck far harder than our bowlers. I could not remember our bowlers could bowl a decent bouncer or two. Look at how Steyn was extracting life out of the pitch by hitting the ball hard. There were cracks available which we did not hit. We kept bowling fuller lengths in a hope to get swing.

[NareshK]

Wanderers pitch was good for bowling and I believe it was effort which we lacked. Look at Steyn' date=' the intense hostility he showed at Durban was unbelievable. They hit the deck far harder than our bowlers. I could not remember our bowlers could bowl a decent bouncer or two. Look at how Steyn was extracting life out of the pitch by hitting the ball hard. There were cracks available which we did not hit. We kept bowling fuller lengths in a hope to get swing.[/quote'] Huge difference in pace. Steyn and Morkel went all out and bowled 145k. Zaheer was ambling in at 125k and just trying to slide the ball across the surface. No real effort, energy or aggression. Ishant just lacks the consistency or the skill or the pace to take test wickets. He will look good and beat the bat on a few occasions but that's as far as he will go. It was a mismatch of bowling attacks. We were never going to pick 20 wickets in Durban and that's why I would have been happy with 0-0 result.

[King Tendulkar]

Huge difference in pace. Steyn and Morkel went all out and bowled 145k. Zaheer was ambling in at 125k and just trying to slide the ball across the surface. No real effort, energy or aggression. Ishant just lacks the consistency or the skill to take test wickets. He will look good and beat the bat on a few occasions but that's as far as he will go. It was a mismatch of bowling attacks. We were never going to pick 20 wickets in Durban and that's why I would have been happy with 0-0 result.

Exactly speed. But there might be good news on that front. Yadav and Aaron:--D But seriously if nothing to come in with pace would be not optimistic. But we seem to have 2 genuine fast bowlers who should play, might be very different then

[CG]

Wanderers pitch was good for bowling and I believe it was effort which we lacked. Look at Steyn' date=' the intense hostility he showed at Durban was unbelievable. They hit the deck far harder than our bowlers. I could not remember our bowlers could bowl a decent bouncer or two. Look at how Steyn was extracting life out of the pitch by hitting the ball hard. There were cracks available which we did not hit. We kept bowling fuller lengths in a hope to get swing.[/quote'] It was decent but nothing like we faced on previous tours and it flattened out towards the end far too quickly it had that whitish look to it towards the end.Durban was also farcry from the last time we toured sa planned very well prepared a pitch where u need pace and stamina.Indians lacked allthough sa bowlers looked mediocore for 6 days of the series and the break when we were 181-1 and the next morning cloudy skies turned the match. Yadav must be pissed missing 2 sa tours ,one to unadkat and now.Zak at that pace would not have done anything on that pitch and ishant is still long way from his best.so our bowlers on flat pitch are hopeless.

[Vijay.Sharma]

I do not think everyone is completely happy' date=' but it is a start for a new team and it is still in a rebuilding phase.[b'] I think it is not our batting which let us down even in the loss, but our bowling. On a pitch where most of our bowlers especially Zak an Ishant looked so innocuous, Styen, Morkel, and Philander were breathing fire. You could see the stark different in two attacks and that is what proved the difference in end. I blame fast bowlers that they let them score 500 on a pitch where SA bowlers made our batsman's life so difficult. Look at the aggressive instinct and hostility of SA attack and look at our bowlers serving them gentle pies trying to hit top of off and bowling half volleys. We need to bring that instinct in our fast bowlers. We sat a genuine fast bowlers on the bench saying he is wayward and picked others because they could hit top of off and bowl economically, which we saw how many times they hit top of off, but what is being economically good when they cannot pick wickets. The genuine fast bowler may leak runs, may be wayward, but he will bowl a few aggressive spells, a few good bouncers, which may unsettle batsmen and may keep batsmen uncertain about things which may benefit him or bowlers from the other end.

Both let us down. The bowling let us down in T1. Inability to make a better match out of the last day (and I am not necessarily saying, win) was the big let down for me. The batting (and the bowling0 let us down in T2. Inability to make a better match out of the last day (and I am not necessarily saying, draw) was the second let down in the Test. The first let down came when we slumped from 181-1 to 334 all out. Had we managed 400 we woulda drawn the series. Edit - I entirely agree with your take on the bowlers

[King Tendulkar]

I am now not happy Ishant still in both squads and Oap Zak still in test squad. Both will play tests no doubt

[asterix]

I am now not happy Ishant still in both squads and Oap Zak still in test squad. Both will play tests no doubt

:hysterical::hysterical::hysterical:

[G_B_]

On the whole more positives than negatives. I actually think India are better geared to handle green wickets. We struggle on pitches with something in it for the pacers. Where good bowling is rewarded. India had their moments even in the second test. 181/1 is a position India should have capitalised upon.

[virufan]

IMO saffers didnt bother to get up from their bed for this series. +ves: Pujara , kohli , rahane and to some extent mooli and shami -ves: ishanth , nohit

Dont forget Jaddu's 6 wickets. He is one of the +ves too.