South Africa vs India 2018: 5 positives for India despite the loss

The pitch was spicy, the bowlers had a party, Newlands saw rain, the misery of drought dissipated, Indian bowlers put up a masterclass, Indian batting collapsed, South Africa kept the pressure, they won, India, the number one Test team folded like a pack of cards.

The visitors saw a glimmer of hope, they looked at it, it stared back at them, it was not easy, it was never going to be, they faltered, they stumbled, and South Africa stomped all over them.

It was all done and dusted, India gave it a good fight, this good was good in patches, they blinked when it mattered the most, there is hope, yes, but there is a lot to worry about too.

Here in this slider, we shun aside all the negativities and focus on the positive strides India made, these strides will help them to sprint in the coming two Tests.

#5 The resilient nature of the lower and middle order

There will be few debates over the nature of the pitch at Newlands, it was everything a seam bowler wishes for, it was everything batsmen cringe at.

Both sets of batsmen struggled to get going on the track, but what can be viewed as a positive signal for the visitors will be the fight shown by the lower and middle order in both the innings.

The fact that number six, seven, and eight batsmen are willing to dig and show resilience can only bode well for the visitors and it can also inspire the top order in the subsequent matches.

#4 Improvement in slip catching

India's slip catching has always been a worry over the past few years and in seaming conditions, a fragile slip cordon only mounts the problems.

Shikhar Dhawan dropped the only catch in the first catch and this problem shot back and the naysayers were wagging their tongue again.

However, there were positive signs in the second innings, when Rohit Sharma dived forward and got his fingers under a Hashim Amla edge at gully.

Captain Virat Kohli followed suit as he moved smartly to his right to snap up Kagiso Rabada in second slip.

These are initial signs, but if India has to win in South Africa, the slip cordon will have to up their game.

#3 Role of Hardik Pandya

Perhaps this time, India's search for that elusive all-rounder could well have found a pitstop.

Hardik Pandya had a terrific match, both with the bat and ball, and his form renders not only the much sought after balance but also allows India to field a more aggressive bowling attack in the next few matches.

Pandya's brilliant 93 in the first innings was the reason why India could even harbour hopes of a win. He also picked up the important wickets of Faf du Plessis (1st innings) and Aiden Markram and Dean Elgar (2nd innings).

He was expressive with the bat and played his strokes and with the ball provided Kohli not only an option but also picked up wickets by asking questions to the batsmen at all times.

#2 Constant pressure applied

In the first innings, the match slipped away from the visitors when AB de Villiers and Faf du Plessis managed to transfer the pressure on the bowlers as they were helped with a lot many boundary balls.

However, in the second innings, the Indian bowlers had sorted this issue and they made sure that there were no freebies were on offer and that even if the wickets did not trickle in, there was a plug on run flow.

This pressure helped as the hosts played few rash strokes and allowed the Indian bowlers a foothold and this resulted in them shooting South Africa for 130 in their second innings.

#1 Indian seam bowling contingent is a force to reckon with

Perhaps, the most complete bowler for India is Bhuvneshwar Kumar and he gave a great account of himself in the first innings when he reduced the hosts for 12 for 3.

The other two fast bowlers came into their own in the second innings and shared the wickets with a superb exhibition of seam and swing bowling.

Bhuvneshwar got the ball to deck around off the surface, Shami troubled the batsmen with his nagging line and length and Jasprit Bumrah's extra pace and the ability to hit the seam make this bowling attack well rounded and a force to be reckoned with.

A big positive for India, a loud statement made.