The Indian cricket team have set South Africa a target in excess of 200, and that is something that teams have not chased at Johannesburg since 2011.
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The Indian cricket team was boosted by magnificent fifties from Ajinkya Rahane and Cheteshwar Pujara on day 3 of the second Test in Johannesburg. The partnership between Rahane and Pujara has ensured India has set South Africa a target of 240. This psychological mark is itself a great indicator. The Indian cricket team is on the cusp of securing history in South Africa for the first time.
Ever since the international readmission of South Africa in 1992, teams have chased down a total in excess of 200 only twice in 30 years. Both these times, it has been Australia that has chased down a target of over 200 at Johannesburg. In 2006, Australia registered a tense two-wicket win by chasing down 294. But, it was in 2011 that Australia achieved its greatest moment. A splendid display saw them chase down 310 with two wickets to spare. This ensured they drew the series after being bowled out for 47 in Cape Town.
During the 2018 tour of South Africa, India won at Johannesburg by 63 runs. The hosts were chasing a target of 250. With this stat in mind, India is one step closer to making ‘Mission World Domination’ a success.
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India was bowled out in the first innings for 202, with only KL Rahul and Ravichandran Ashwin scoring decently. While Rahul hit 50, Ashwin chipped in with 46. Marco Jansen took 4/31 and he was ably supported by Duanne Olivier and Kagiso Rabada with three wickets. India responded brilliantly thanks to the brilliance of Shardul Thakur.
Keegan Petersen and Temba Bavuma managed to score the fifties and take South Africa into the lead. But, Thakur took 7/61 to ensure the lead for South Africa was a negligible 27. Thakur became the first bowler from India to take seven wickets in an innings in a Test in South Africa. India was already under the pump in the second innings when they lost Rahul and Mayank Agarwal cheaply.
Cheteshwar Pujara and Ajinkya Rahane were two players who were under immense pressure due to their run of poor scores. But, in the second innings, they showed their worth. Both scored aggressively and took the attack to South Africa. Pujara’s strike rate was 61 while Rahane made a fifty with a strike rate of 75. The 110-run partnership took the game away from South Africa. However, just before or after the lunch break, India collapsed in a heap. It took some big blows from Jasprit Bumrah and Shardul Thakur to ensure India gave South Africa a tough target
With the wicket still assisting pacers and South Africa’s batting thin on experience, India is a few steps away from glory. This will come at a venue where they have never lost.
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