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[mad_abt_cricket]

Bit surprised that no one has mentioned the lack of reverse swing for Indian bowlers in the second innings despite favourable conditions as the pitch got drier. Most of the success Indian bowlers have got in the recent times is due to their excellent ability to reverse swing the old ball. This pitch was more suited to seam bowling who could hit the deck and get use of those cracks. Unfortunately with the exception of Shami none had the pace or pitched the ball in the right lengths( 6 -8 ft) from the stumps. They kept on pitching the ball full in hope to get conventional or reverse swing but could not get any success. Instead SA batsmen feasted on these over pitch deliveries. Would love to know your thoughts behind lack of reverse swing in the second innings..

[CrickFreak]

I was more surprised by Shami not bowling for almost 3 hours. Zaheer was clearly tired... Shami could have troubled the SA batters with reverse or no reverse swing.
The 5th day pitch was more like day one pitch of Mumbai. And the lack of experience was clearly showing in the bowling department when the conditions changed. Even AB acknowledged that it slowed down.
One reason of bowling full could be that they got spanked in ODIs by bowling back of length like they do in India. 
But i dont think there was conventional late/reverse swing during the whole test match. I didnt see every over bowled, so could be wrong.

[mad_abt_cricket]

Ball was reversing in the first innings of SA as they cleaned up the middle order of SA pretty cheaply.

[csnew]

Have the South african's really asked for pitches like this. Slow and flat

[procricket]

Pujara wow what a class act so looking forward to watching him in England

[The_Bird]

Pujara wow what a class act so looking forward to watching him in England

Looks a class above. Scoring heaps and just seems to have that steady unflappable technique.

[ProCricketer1982]

Have the South african's really asked for pitches like this. Slow and flat

Will watch the test later but if they have then that is suicide! if they keep it bouncy and fast India on,y have 2 batsmen capable rather than 7.. Fools

[procricket]

Rubbish India are better than that mate.

There batting has come on they struggle with bowling but to say only 2 of there players can play pace is laughable.

Best batting side currently in world cricket with there hosts i think.

Agree sightly with pitches but to say India can't handle pace is a big old school they have players who can and are as good as any..

Not many out there who can handle Steyn, Johnson type rockets at best of time

[CrickFreak]

I think they explained why the pitch is drier than normal because of lack or rain which was expected 2-3 days prior to the start of the test match.

But it is not that flat. There was nice carry and bounce and the ball beat the edge a few times as well.
I think we dont give enough credit where its due. Any pitch looks flat when the batsmen score runs. If you watch carefully, the Indian batsmen were moving well and watching the ball so well that the pitch looked flat.

I watched the England batting on day 1 at MCG. The English batters were not moving at all, especially Root. The conditions in Kingsmead were quite similar, but the difference is the positive approach of Indian top order, showed lot of intent and more importantly the technic was much better.

[swamidude]

It's quite remarkable how this month has brought about so many turnarounds. I (as an Indian fan) fully expected England to be scoring 500+ on the flat Australian tracks and India to have been bowled out within 2 sessions in each of their innings! I reckon India's tour over here next Summer will be an absolute cracker.

[Gerry SA]

Quite incredible is this chap Pujara. Gets runs by the bucket load. Unlike Dravid, he seems to be able to go through the gears and pick up the RR at will.

Pretty disappointing with how the Proteas have bowled though. Can't believe Kyle Abbott didn't get a gig at his home ground...

Robbie Peterson isn't gonna challenge these India's in a month of Sundays...

[CrickFreak]

Quite incredible is this chap Pujara. Gets runs by the bucket load. Unlike Dravid, he seems to be able to go through the gears and pick up the RR at will.

Agree. Pujara has scored loads in domestic circuit, has temparament to bat for hours. He is a orthodox number 3 who can anchor one end and bat on session after session. Lucky MS, keeps finding great talent and knows how to nurture these youngsters and make them confortable.

[procricket]

The thing that i like about Pujara and commented to a mate today was on telly alone he has no weaknesses Steyn round the wicket he handled i think he could be a great.

He does not seem to posses a weakness.

[joeljonno]

The thing that i like about Pujara and commented to a mate today was on telly alone he has no weaknesses Steyn round the wicket he handled i think he could be a great.

He does not seem to posses a weakness.

It will be interesting to see how he handles the English climate. From what I have seen so far, I think he will, but it will certainly be a different challenge.

A weakness will be found eventually, otherwise Don's 99.94 may be in danger.

[Gerry SA]

So after 62 wicket less overs, Dale Steyn comes alive and takes 3 in 12 balls.

Steyn is on absolute fire!

Must be angry that Big Vern took his number 1 ranking!