The most exciting Boxing day test match between India and South Africa which began on 26th Dec 2023 turned out to be bitter sweet experience for the Indian spectators round the globe as India beginning their conquest for the Final Frontier in the rainbow nation on a tottering Day 1 of game display.
In the conditions , after rain delayed start to the Day, India felt the absence of star allrounder Ravindra Jadeja having an effect on the innings progression as India faltered in the first innings due to the brilliant bowling by South African speedster Kagiso Rabada. The Saurashtra all-rounder was ruled out of the game at Centurion with a back spasm.
The Indian team were put in to bat after the hosts won the toss. In very helpful conditions, the Indian top-order gave way, with the visitors tottering at 24/3 at one stage. Virat Kohli and Shreyas Iyer fought back and took the score to 92, before Iyer was dismissed. Things looked bleak at 121/6, but KL Rahul’s fighting 70 not out saw India to 208/8 at the end of day’s play.
According to a statement from the BCCI, Jadeja complained of pain in his upper back, which led to him being sidelined. This also meant that India had to play Ravichandran Ashwin at No.7 and Shardul Thakur at No.8.
The absence of Jadeja from playing 11 has indeed surprised the likes of former cricketers now turned commentators who openly expressed their views during the Lunch and Tea session as well as at the End of Day 1 and how it affected India’s chance with the bat missing an left hand all rounder.
Former Indian cricketer now turned commentator Sanjay Manjrekar who has been a close follower on Ravindra Jadeja’s progression in the National team has expressed his views regarding the same.
“India’s batting certainly got affected by Ravindra Jadeja’s absence”- Sanjay Manjrekar after Day 1 drubbing of Indian batting vs South Africa in 1st Innings of 1st Test.
Commenting upon Day 1 of the ongoing first Test between India and South Africa, former Indian batter now turned commentator Sanjay Manjrekar stated that the visitors missed Ravindra Jadeja’s services with the bat.
Speaking to ESPNCricinfo after the end of play on Day 1, Sanjay Manjrekar spoke about the value that Ravindra Jadeja has for the Indian team, especially overseas:
“India’s batting certainly got affected by Jadeja’s absence because his overseas batting in Tests has been sensational. I don’t think it will matter much with the ball as things could get interesting if the ball doesn’t turn. Then you will need someone who deceives in the air and Ashwin is a better option. But if they want to score some quick runs, then they will not have something that Jadeja provides.”
Sanjay Manjrekar on impressive Nandre Burger’s debut
Former Indian batter now turned commentator Sanjay Manjrekar was impressed with the way South African speedster Nandre Burger performed on his Test debut. Burger got the wickets of Yashaswi Jaiswal and Shubman Gill on Day 1 and looked effective from the beginning of his spell.
However, Manjrekar was a bit disappointed to see that the young left-arm pacer wasn’t able to keep the consistency going as he bowled more and more in the game.
“As someone who is tall, Burger already had that hit-the-deck length that you expect a South African pacer to have. However, what was interesting to see was that he was willing to bowl fuller and swing the ball away from the batters as well.
“That’s exactly how he dismissed Yashaswi Jaiswal. What I was disappointed with was the inconsistency. When a bowler is on debut, he needs guidance from the field and he didn’t quite get that. So promising, but wayward at times.” he said about the performance delivered by young Burger.
Manjrekar also believes that in tough conditions, India have the runs on board and that he doesn’t see South Africa take a massive first-innings lead to which he added:
“If this was the old South African batting line-up with the likes of Amla, Kallis, Smith, Du Plessis, I would have said even 250-300 will be less. But I feel that with this batting line-up, I will be surprised if South Africa takes a significant lead. I feel the Indian bowlers will bowl better and with more discipline. I reckon India already have a competitive score on the board and if they add 20-30 more, South Africa will be under pressure.”
Kagiso Rabada was the most successful bowler on the day for South Africa, picking up a five-fer. Burger got two early wickets and then had Kohli dropped off his bowling soon after. He couldn’t add to his wickets tally later in the day.
With Day 2 promising to be the intriguing battle between bat and ball it would be interesting to see how far KL Rahul who is not out on 70 takes India far to a respectable total before the Indian Pace attack being unleashed on South African batting.