India bowled the Castle Lager Proteas out virtually in one session to take a huge advantage into the second half of the final Freedom Series Test match at Delhi on Friday.
The Proteas had gone into tea on 38/1 with Temba Bavuma looking comfortable in his new role of opening batsman and there was no indication of what was to follow. But by the close of play the Proteas were all out for 121 with the opening stand of 36 between Bavuma and Elgar being easily the best of the innings. In all they lost 9/83 in the session.
India had taken their overnight 231/7 to a very handy 334 all out with Ajinkya Rahane (127 off 215 balls, 11 fours and 4 sixes) scoring his fifth Test century and his first on home soil. He was well supported by Ravi Ashwin (56 off 140 balls, 6 fours and a six) in a partnership of 98 for the eighth wicket.
It represented a huge turnaround from the position at tea on the first day when India were struggling at 139/6. What happened in the evening session thereafter was probably the turning point of the match.
There can be no excuses for the South African batting effort with the possible exception of AB de Villiers (42 off 78 balls, 5 fours), who was caught on the boundary as he ran out of partners.
All four Indian frontline bowlers dovetailed superbly together. Although Ravendra Jadeja took the individual honours with his fourth five-wicket haul (5/30 in 12 overs, all bowled in the final session), the Proteas struggled as much against reverse swing as they did against the spinners who did not get any particular advantage out of the pitch apart from the odd delivery that kept low.
Significantly, the best performances in this match have largely come from the new players brought into the team. Dane Piedt took 4 wickets on the first day and Kyle Abbott cleaned up the tail this morning to finish with an impressive 5/40 in 24.5 overs.
Bavuma may have made only 22 but he looked to the manner born. His judgment outside the off-stump was excellent as was his balance and footwork. There are advantages to being small in the game of cricket and Bavuma has adjusted his game plan well to the needs of the situation. There is every reason to retain him in this position for the start of the Test series against England.
India have been sharper than the Proteas everywhere that has counted and the first innings deficit of 213 has effectively put the Proteas out of the game.