The bowlers, battered for boundaries galore. The batters, rattled by the opposition pacers. The result, humiliation. India were utterly outplayed on all fronts in the first Test against hosts South Africa in Centurion last week, as the Proteas secured a dominating win by an innings and 32 runs.
India’s abysmal record of never winning a Test series will unfortunately continue to haunt them for the near future as the hosts secured a 1-0 lead in the two-match Test series.
But now, the stakes are even more dire. India eyes redemption in the series decider in Cape Town, a venue where they have never won a Test. And as they near the heated encounter, former India bowling coach Bharat Arun shared his views on the humiliating defeat in the series-opener last week, saying that the visitors “surrendered meekly” against South Africa.
“Well, to see India come back and [KL] Rahul get that century was quite happening. And there was quite a lot of help in the wicket for the bowlers. So we had a very, very positive feeling about the whole thing. And we thought that we could clearly make a Test match out of this. I think winning or losing a Test match is okay. But I think the way we lost the last Test – we surrendered meekly in the second innings – is not a good feeling,” Arun said to RevSportz in an interview.
Despite their humiliating defeat, Arun is still of the belief that India can most definitely turn the tide and make a comeback to draw the series.
“Indians are strong enough. They are resilient enough to be able to come back after this Test match. We did come back after being 36 all out in Australia. So losing a Test match is, I don’t think it’s a very, very big deal. But I think how you come back from there is even more important because that shows the character, their resilience, and things like that,” he added.
India have never beaten South Africa in six previous meeting at the Newlands in Cape Town. They have played six Tests at the venue, losing four and drawing two. But, for the sake of saving face, they will be gunning to turn their fortunes around and register their first win at the Newlands.
The second Test between India and South Africa will begin on January 3.
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