IND vs SA Cape Town Test: SA can win Test series – Despite being favourites, Virat Kohli & Co head into a series decider in Cape Town. India’s 7-wicket loss in Johannesburg meant, India’s Final Frontier remained unconquered. Former Protea all-rounder Vernon Philander has sent warnings to Team India, saying that South Africa can win the series in Cape Town defying all odds as the momentum is with them. Follow India vs South Africa Live Updates on InsideSport.IN
Former Proteas all-rounder Vernon Philander says there was plenty to be excited about as a Proteas fan following their impressive victory over India in the second Betway Test match. South Africa beat the tourists by seven wickets late on day four at Imperial Wanderers in Johannesburg on Thursday to ensure the Freedom Series was level at 1-1 – and setting up a decider for the final Test in Cape Town.
IND vs SA Cape Town Test: Vernon Philander warns Virat Kohli & Co, ‘South Africa can win the series’ defying all odds
“I don’t think there’s much between the two teams going into Cape Town. The last Test would have given South Africa a massive boost on all fronts. Very often that is all that you need, one win as a team to give you that confidence and momentum. They will feel they now have that behind them and they can go on to win the series,” Vernon Philander said.
“Coming to Newlands, one of our favourite hunting grounds, I’m really looking forward to the final Test. It’s going to be a cracker,” Philander added.
See you soon, Cape Town. 🙋🏽♀️🇿🇦 #SAvIND pic.twitter.com/RnQTTnz8UR
— Sipokazi Sokanyile (@sipokazis86) January 8, 2022
The hosts had lost the opening match by 113 runs at SuperSport Park in Centurion, but put that defeat behind them with a wonderful win at the Bullring, their first over India at the venue in five attempts.
IND vs SA Cape Town Test: Vernon Philander warns Virat Kohli & Co, ‘South Africa can win the series’ defying all odds
Chasing 240 for victory, captain Dean Elgar lead the way with an unbeaten 96, with meaningful contributions all round.
“We’ve always been known to be slow starters, but the way the boys bounced back after losing the toss as well was excellent. There was a lot of expectations on the bowlers to bowl India out and they did that. I thought they bowled phenomenally well in partnerships,” Vernon Philander said.
IND vs SA Cape Town Test: Vernon Philander warns Virat Kohli & Co, ‘South Africa can win the series’ defying all odds
Amongst the most impressive elements for Philander were the batting intent by the Proteas in their fourth-innings chase. They were positive from the start and caught India out in many respects.
“It was probably the best batting performance I’ve seen from the Proteas in a while. The guys were really clinical, and I think the way Dean lead with the bat was phenomenal. Also, the mindset made a huge difference. I think in the first innings the boys were a bit tentative, maybe a bit on the defensive side of things,” Vernon Philander said.
“But if you look at the second innings we saw some clear intent, the guys were looking to score quicker and you could see the difference it made in demeanour, in body language and the sort of surprise it gave the India bowlers, who wouldn’t have expected the South Africans to come out and attack as they did.
IND vs SA Cape Town Test: Vernon Philander warns Virat Kohli & Co, ‘South Africa can win the series’ defying all odds
“It makes a massive difference when you just come out and just allow the bowler to bowl at you compared to showing positive intent like they did. The way they batted was proper.”
Philander, who took 224 wickets for South Africa in 64 Tests and scored nearly 2000 runs, was also happy to see Keegan Petersen record his maiden 50 at international level. It was a key innings and one that helped Elgar led the team to victory. There was also special mention for Elgar and Kagiso Rabada, who claimed six wickets in the match.
“We have to signal out Dean and the way he batted all the way through. He made sure he stayed in and built partnerships with the other batters around him. Then with the ball we can’t not mention KG and that one spell where he turned the game upside down after lunch. In a series like this against a strong India team, you’re going to need bowlers to deliver spells like those that break the game open completely,” Philander said.
IND vs SA Cape Town Test: Vernon Philander warns Virat Kohli & Co, ‘South Africa can win the series’ defying all odds
Squads:
South Africa: Dean Elgar (captain), Temba Bavuma (vice-captain), Kagiso Rabada, Sarel Erwee, Beuran Hendricks, George Linde, Keshav Maharaj, Lungi Ngidi, Aiden Markram, Wiaan Mulder, Keegan Peterson, Rassie van der Dussen, Kyle Verreynne (wicket-keeper), Marco Jansen, Glenton Stuurman, Prenelan Subrayen, Sisanda Magala, Ryan Rickelton, Duanne Olivier.
India: Virat Kohli (Captain), KL Rahul, Mayank Agarwal, Cheteshwar Pujara, Ajinkya Rahane, Priyank Panchal, Shreyas Iyer, Hanuma Vihari, Rishabh Pant (wicket-keeper), Wriddhiman Saha (wicket-keeper), R Ashwin, Jayant Yadav, Ishant Sharma, Mohd. Shami, Umesh Yadav, Jasprit Bumrah, Shardul Thakur, Md. Siraj
Schedule:
1st Test: South Africa lost to India by 113 runs at SuperSport Park, Centurion
2nd Test: South Africa beat India by 7 wickets at Imperial Wanderers, Johannesburg
3rd Test: 11 – 15 January at Six Gun Grill Newlands, Cape Town
Editors pick
