India lost the Test series against South Africa after some notable encounters. After winning the first-ever Test match at Centurion Park by 113 runs, India went on to lose the next two Tests by seven wickets and ended up losing the series 1-2.
Rohit Sharma was ruled out of India’s squad for the Test matches after suffering a hamstring injury. He was replaced by KL Rahul, who was also named the vice-captain of India’s Test squad for the series.
In this particular analysis, we will be looking at data of some of the best performers from the three-Test matches, while also pointing out the key takeaways from it for team India.
Even after moments of brilliance by India in the third Test, the visitors had to bring an end to their dream of clinching a victory on Proteas’ soil. The likes of Virat Kohli and Rishabh Pant were found wanting support at one end. While the bowlers performed decently throughout the series, in the final two matches, they lacked steam in the fourth innings as the opponents chased down the targets with ease. Let us discuss a few takeaways from the three-match Test series Between India and South Africa.
The failure of the Indian middle-order
In Rohit Sharma’s absence, the Indian opening partnership failed to flourish. The South African bowlers ran through KL Rahul and Mayank Agarwal on most of the occasions. However, Rahul did score a brilliant century in the first Test. Also, in the middle-order, Ajinkya Rahane is going through a rough phase, not scoring a ton since his majestic hundred in the Boxing Day Test at the MCG in December 2020, and losing his Test vice-captaincy as a result of it.
Thakur’s heroics and Rahul’s form continue
Shardul Thakur managed to generate a substantial amount of swing, troubling the hosts regularly. In the second Test, he achieved his career-best bowling figures of 7/61 in just 17.5 overs.
Despite the lack of major opening stands for India, KL Rahul’s batting was an absolute treat to watch for the viewers. His impeccable timing of the ball was key to his run-scoring amidst India’s mediocre batting in the entire series.