The Proteas’ top order collapsed in both innings in their 20-run first Test defeat to India last weekend.
And it’s because they were only playing to survive and not to dominate their hosts’ bowlers to transfer the pressure.
That’s the assessment from captain Faf du Plessis after South Africa were on 63/4 in the first innings, before the captain’s 115-run fifth wicket stand with opener Dean Elgar (160) got them back on track and to post 431 all out, with wicketkeeper/batsmen Quinton de Kock also scoring 111 down the order.
Then in the second innings the top order collapsed again, despite a knock of 39 from Aiden Markram, and this time it was even worse, with the scoreboard 70/8 at one stage.
Luckily spin bowlers Senuran Muthusamy (49) and Dane Piedt (56) saved some face, with their contributions to get South Africa to 191 all out.
BATTLE: Quinton de Kock hit a century in the first Test. Picture: BackpagePix.
India, meanwhile, posted scores of 502/7 and 323/4 both declared.
Heading into the second Test which starts in Pune at 6am on Thursday, Du Plessis knows dit kan nie so aangaan nie.
He says: “We try and survive [when batting in India] and with that you become too defensive and allow the opposition to be on top of you.”
Spinners Ravi Jadeja and Ravi Ashwin were the bowlers that got the better of SA throughout the match, with fast bowler Mohammed Shami bagging five wickets in the second innings to prove that SA’s struggles aren’t against spin alone.
STRUGGLING: SA's Aiden Markram. Picture: BackpagePix.
But of India’s slow bowlers, Du Plessis adds: “Their record speaks for itself.
“We have to try and put some pressure back on them.
“The way Dean [Elgar] and Quinton [de Kock] batted in the first innings - we have to find the balance between attack and defence. That is key when playing on the subcontinent.”
%%%twitter https://twitter.com/hashtag/ProteaFire?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#ProteaFire🔥 #INDvSA pic.twitter.com/EFGfp7FHpm
— Cricket South Africa (@OfficialCSA)
The Proteas decided to have the day off from training on Wednesday in order to be fit for the five-day battle that awaits them.
Update:
Toss: India, opted to bat first.
At the time of publishing: India: 273/3- V. Kohli, 63* (105), A. Rahane, 18* (70).