South Africa vs India 2018, 1st Test: What went wrong for the visitors

#3 Poor catching and failure to clean up the lower-order

Keshav Maharaj scored a handy 35 which helped the Proteas reach an above par first innings score.

One of the factors that were going to be crucial was how the teams caught their catches, especially in the slips. It might look like India dropped only two catches in the entire Test match, they were dropped at crucial junctures of the game.

Even after the counter-attack from AB de Villiers, De Kock continued to attack as South Africa scored more than 4 runs per over. However, the hosts were reduced to 202/6. And with Bhuvneshwar Kumar bowling really well, it looked like South Africa would’ve folded up quickly. But Dhawan dropped an easy catch at third slip and Keshav Maharaj (batting on 0) was handed a reprieve.

The left-arm spinner went onto to make 35 and formed crucial partnerships for the 8th wicket (with Rabada) to frustrate India. Even after Maharaj’s dismissal, India toiled hard (for about 11 overs) to get the final two wickets.

Thus, South Africa’s lower order contribution was very crucial in the first innings.