Former Indian cricketer Sanjay Manjrekar believes that the recent South African cricket team was the most beatable in history, despite India’s series draw with them. Manjrekar emphasized that opener Dean Elgar’s impressive innings of 185 runs in the first Centurion Test prevented India from creating history. He also questioned the necessity of hosting a three-match ODI series between the T20Is and Tests when it is not a 50-over World Cup year.
India has never won a series in South Africa in the nine times they have traveled there since 1992/93. The only time they managed to draw the series was during the 2010-2011 season under the captaincy of MS Dhoni. Throughout these tours, India has only won five Tests in South Africa.
Manjrekar expressed concerns about the future of the South African team without Dean Elgar, who recently announced his retirement from international cricket. Elgar has an impressive record of 5,347 runs in 86 Tests, including 14 centuries and 23 half-centuries. He also played eight ODIs, scoring 104 runs.
Reflecting on the recent Test match, South Africa chose to bat first but was bundled out for just 55 runs in 23.2 overs. Mohammed Siraj’s impressive spell of 6/15 played a crucial role in destroying the Proteas’ top and middle order. In response, India stumbled after a solid start and was bowled out for 153 runs.
In the second innings, South Africa finished day one at 62/3, with Aiden Markram leading the charge with an unbeaten 36. However, Jasprit Bumrah’s six-wicket haul in the following day’s play helped dismiss South Africa for 176 runs, leaving India with a target of 79 runs to win.
India comfortably chased down the target with seven wickets in hand, thanks to contributions from Yashasvi Jaiswal and skipper Rohit Sharma.
With the series ending in a 1-1 draw, Siraj was awarded the Player of the Match.
