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Though the Men in Blue have already won the series in Nagpur itself, they should be wary of complacency creeping in. To beat the World No. 1 Test team, which has been unbeaten on a road since 2006, speaks for itself the achievement of Virat Kohli’Âs young team.For nine long years, the Proteas have defied home advantage in every part of the cricketing world. At the end of the 3rd Test, they have lost their proud record thanks to some exceptional bowling performances, irresponsible batting failures, injuries to key players and the most important of all - rank turners (Said in a polite way).With series already decided, the fourth Test to be held at Firoz Shah Kotla from 3rd December is a dead rubber. Four reasons why one should watch the last Test of the series are as follows.
#1 Virat Kohli\'s homecoming as India\'s Test captain
From the captain of U-19 team who won the World Cup at Kuala Lumpur in 2008 to Indias Test captain, Kohli has come a long way in his career. His captaincy has been a breath of fresh air. Earlier, India used to put emphasis on not losing the test match. Under Kohlis captaincy, the boys devise ways to win the match. Since taking over as captain full time, Kohli has gone with a 6-5 combination. He believes that 20 wickets will win you the test matches.
At his home ground, Kohli has amassed 193 runs at 64.33 including a ton and a fifty. In Tests, though, he has not done much. As pointed by his childhood coach,Kohlis memorable ininings at his home ground, the one he wouldnt like to remember, is when he played just after his fathers death. Delhi would be ansciously waiting for thier hero to lead from the front at Feroz Shah Kotla.
#2 An opportunity to win hearts
There has been enough hullabaloo about the pitch used in this test series. Allegations and counter-allegations have kept the cricket fraternity buzzing. Twitter has also contributed for the same. The pitch has been termeddiabolical, over-prepared and what not. Former and current players came out against the spin-friendly pitches with all guns blazing. Current Indian players and team director Ravi Shastri claimed it as the excellent use of home conditions.
Traditionally a flat wicket where the ball remains low from 3rdday onwards, India should aim to bat the South Africans out of thetest. They should aim to score a 500ish kind of total, and take the match with some support from the spinners.
#3 End of an era or is it the beginning?
South Africans have lost their proud record of remaining unbeaten on the road since 2006. In this period, they have won test series on bouncy Australian pitches, windy and swinging New Zealand pitches, seaming English pitches and in the scorching heat of Abu Dhabi. They were also able to withstand the sub-continent pitches.
The one thing the Proteas would be most disappointing about is that they could not put up a fight. With stalwarts like Graeme Smith, Jack Kallis and Mark Boucher gone, they have to take the Delhi test as the beginning of an era under the leadership of Hashim Amla. Senior members like ABD and Du Plessis should lead the next period of domination.
#4 Of demons and monsters?
As quoted aptly by commentator Harsha Bhogle, if there were demons on the pitch then there were monsters in the head of the South African batsmen. The Africans were bamboozled by the quality of the pitches right from the start of series. Their fear of playing on spin friendly pitches came true at Mohali itself. Losing the first test inside three days create havoc in their mind.
India, though, astutely played with South African minds. At Bengaluru, lack of spin has sent the Proteas packing in the first innings. At Nagpur, they came face-to-face with their worst demon. Injuries to key players has not helped them either.
In New Delhi, South Africa should leave the past behind and apply themselves and set themselves. As shown by Amla and Du Plessis in the 2nd innings of the Nagpur test, with grit and determination, demons in the pitch can be conquered. For this, the monsters in the head must be conquered first.
