Zaheer Khan

The Boxing Day Test match is set to begin between the titans of the game – India and South Africa. We have in the past three years bounced back after a set back and revealed the passion and compliance to pull it off. Nothing less than a win will be acceptable at Durban in the second test. And we have all kind of mental games going off the field. The SA skipper Smith says that we are prepared for the fight back from the tough veteran Indian side. “India is an experienced team and I expect them to come out fighting in the next test and I expect them to use their experience to bounce back. We can’t afford to take anything for granted in terms of how we expect them to go,” he said.

The Indian side lost disastrously in the first test match by an innings and 25 runs. But, we hadn’t had any practice before that match. And, this was all due to our great BCCI. But, anyways that is the other part of the story. I guess now Indian skilled side knows better how things will react and happen. They have a know how of the Protean conditions and their bowlers. They might be low on confidence, but we may well bounce back.

Kirsten in his confident speech boasted Indian attack “I think we have shown in the last three years that we have the ability to get 20 Test wickets in any conditions. It’s up to us to prove to every one that we can do that here. It’s up to us to prove to ourselves too that we can do that. Obviously, nice to have Zaheer back in the side. We look forward to whatever conditions are given to us, and we have the quality in our bowling line-up as well.” Did I use the word ‘boasted’! Ah! But, well I too feel we can and need to put up a good show whatever Kirsten’s to say.

We have seen Raina failing successively now. So, Pujara might slip in the no. 6 spot. And, it will be interesting to see how Bhajji and Zaheer fair. The pitch is surely going to be bowling supportive. Steyn and Co have to be well handled by Indian lineup. Durban has been a jinx for the little-master and the centurion Protean Amla. But, a jinx is meant to be wrecked. And I wish that the maestro does the same.

Smith said that many players in the team know how the Durban wicket plays. And, he looked pretty confident to go for sealing the series win with a win in the second test. But, the Indian side looks determined and confident for nailing back. And this is the time we have to show the character that the number one test side of the world displays to a dismay! So, I would say ”Go India show it.”

Tags: BCCI, Boxing Day Test, Cricket, Gary Kirsten, Graeme Smith, Hashim Amla, India, South Africa, Test Match, Zaheer Khan