Wins and defeats are part of the game. Only this wasn't a pasting handed by a superior South African side. The batting has lost considerable lustre, take away Kagiso Rabada and the fast bowling isn't that awe-inspiring, and they are also dropping catches now. The real tragedy at Centurion wasn't the innings and 32-run defeat itself but the supine nature of India's three-day surrender that keeps South Africa's unbeaten home bilateral record intact.
While there is no place quite like South Africa that can expose technical and mental failings, more was expected from India's batting than just two innings of note - KL Rahul's hundred and Virat Kohli's engaging 76 on Thursday. Being dismissed for 131 in just over a session, on the same day Dean Elgar ended up outsourcing India, is a punch in the guts for those who believed India's batting has finally come of age. "Batting was poor in the second innings. Virat batted brilliantly but if you have to win, you have to come together collectively. We failed to do that," said India captain Rohit Sharma.
This story is from the {{IssueName}} edition of {{MagazineName}}.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber ? Sign In
This story is from the {{IssueName}} edition of {{MagazineName}}.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber? Sign In
Aamir-Ajay off-screen reunion makes fans ask for Ishq 2
When actors Aamir Khan and Ajay Devgn reunited at an event on Saturday, it left their fans nostalgic.
Blissful Bebo in Saif haven!
Kareena Kapoor Khan is back in the bay from her Diwali holiday in the Maldives, and on Saturday, the actor shared some stunning pictures of sun-kissed beaches and sun-tanned skin from her dreamy getaway with her boys – actor-husband Saif Ali Khan and sons, Taimur and Jeh.
FAKE TICKETS, SCALPING STRIKE A SOUR NOTE
Ahead of some big international gigs in India, we talk to artists and organisers about the rising threat of fake ticketing and black marketeering
He always had a smile on his face: Ssudeep Sahir delves into memories of Nitin Chauhaan
Actor Ssudeep Sahir, one of the first to confirm the tragic passing of his Tera Yaar Hoon Main co-star Nitin Chauhaan, is in a state of shock after the incident. Chauhaan, 35, was found dead in his Mumbai flat on Friday. He allegedly died by suicide.
MCSWEENEY TO OPEN, INGLIS HANDED FIRST TEST CALL UP FOR BGT OPENER
Uncapped Nathan McSweeney won the race to open the batting alongside Usman Khawaja in the first Test against India while Australia also handed a maiden Test call up to Josh Inglis on Sunday.
Pakistan win 1st ODI series Down Under since 2002
Saim Ayub hit 42 and Abdullah Shafique 37 as Pakistan raced to a commanding eight-wicket victory and their first one-day series win in Australia for 22 years on Sunday.
Jagan Kumar, the 11-time national motorcycle champion, quits racing
NEW DELHI: It has been an emotional time for Jagan Kumar, the illustrious rider who decided to roll his bike into the garage for good after dominating Indian circuits for around 15 years.
A rivalry and new momentum
Sabalenka-Swiatek battle for the top promises an exciting year in women's tennis
Varun's fifer in vain, Stubbs scripts a sensational chase
South Africa level series 1-1, beating India by three wickets in the second T20I at Gqeberha
Chelsea, Arsenal in 1-1 draw; United win
Chelsea and Arsenal shared the spoils in a tense and at times bruising 1-1 battle at Stamford Bridge on Sunday, keeping the London sides level in the Premier League, but still nine points adrift of leaders Liverpool.
