2nd Test: India have a great chance to create history
Duncan Fletcher and MS Dhoni discuss tactics in the nets area during a training session at Sahara Stadium Kingsmead.
There is a touch of preposterousness to the recent alchemy of the Kingsmead pitch. Once considered the fastest in the country, the pitch has shred all its devilry in the recent times. Some now call it the slowest wicket in South Africa.
The fast bowlers have, sure, done here well but the spinners have also performed as well in Durban if not better. Graeme Swann, Rangana Herath and even Harbhajan Singh have had memorable performances here in the last three-four years. Imran Tahir has acquired national fame and cap taking dozens of wickets in domestic cricket here.
South Africa have lost their last four games at the hallowed venue andGraeme Smith is focussed on stemming the rot. The home team's last win here had come six years ago and that was against a lowly West Indies. India had won the last Test they played here.
MS Dhoni must be thanking his stars that the team has come to a venue that could suit their game in the series-deciding contest. That said, coming to a favourable venue and winning there are two different propositions and Dhoni knows it is easier hoped than achieved.
Growing in stature
The team, without doubt, has grown in stature since the first Test of the series but the India growth story has not shown tangible results. It is time they backed up their performance with wins. A series win in South Africa is long overdue.
The next five days could be crucial to India's cricketing history - a win here would obliterate the blemish that they cannot win on the pitches of South Africa. It would be a first and a welcome first. An opportunity knocks at the doors of the Indian team. Cheteshwar Pujara said they carry momentum in the Test.
In Johannesburg, India raised the roof after an awful low in the one-dayers and their Test showing has surprised, may be even scared, the home team. Virat Kohli, Cheteshwar Pujara, Murali Vijay and even Ajinkya Rahane showed that they are not flat pitch bullies; and Mohammed Shami, Ishant Sharma and Zaheer Khan have proved that they are ready for any surface.
R Ashwin's failure to take wickets on the final day was a concern but India have options galore in the spin department.
South Africa coach Russell Domingo has hinted that spinners could play a crucial role in the Test and they could change the make-up of their squad. They could bring Robin Peterson.
It will be a tough call for Dhoni on Ashwin's selection. With Ravindra Jadeja and Pragyan Ojha also in the squad, India could bring in a left-arm spinner. But then Ashwin, the lead spinner, cannot be judged by one performance.
Pretty dry
"It looks pretty dry, which is probably not what we were expecting. It's going to be a hard Test match. It's not going to be a short 180 all-out game," Domingo said, reading the wicket. The Indian team chose to be observed than quoted on the Test eve. Dhoni avoided the pre-match media interaction.
Morne Morkel, injured during the first Test, looks a certainty for the game and his retention could add extra muscle to their fast bowling division. "He seems to be okay. I haven't chatted to the physiotherapist Brandon Jackson again but just briefly chatting to Morne, he seems to be fine so that's good news for us," the South Africa's coach said.
The Boxing Day Tests, traditionally, have been hard fought and the last 14 Tests have produced decisive results here. One can expect pugilistic relentless from the teams over the next five days. The winner takes all
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