'Bhaad me gaya pitch': Ravi Shastri After Thumping Win Over South Africa
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Head coach Ravi Shastri was a delighted man after India thrashed South Africa by an innings and 202 runs in third Test to sweep the series. Just like the first two games, India faced little competition from the struggling tourists as they registered their first-ever whitewash over South Africa in Tests. South Africa could add only one run to their overnight score of 132 for 8 before Shahbaz Nadeem dismissed Theunis de Bruyn and Lungi Ngidi on successive deliveries in just the second over of the day.
India had piled up a mammoth 497 for 9 (declared) in their first innings. Rohit Sharma starred with the bat by scoring his first Test double century. Ajinkya Rahane and Ravindra Jadeja also made big contributions by scoring a century and a fifty respectively as India recovered from 39 for 3 to post the big total.
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In reply, South Africa were all out for just 162 runs in their first innings. Their fortunes did not change in the second innings either after they were asked to follow on. They were reeling at 36 for 5 at one stage before the lower-order provided some resistance to take the score past the 100-run mark. But the fight didn’t make much difference as India wrapped up the proceedings inside two overs on day four.
#TeamIndia win the 3rd Test by an innings & 202 runs #INDvSA @Paytm
3-0 ?????? pic.twitter.com/OwveWWO1Fu— BCCI (@BCCI) October 22, 2019
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Speaking after the game, Ravi Shastri made it clear that India did not give much importance to the pitch. He said that the team is now focussing on picking up 20 wickets irrespective of the conditions. He then pointed out Ajinkya Rahane’s return to form.
“Our motto was to take pitches out of the equation. ‘Bhaad me gaya pitch’ (to hell with the pitches). Whether it’s Johannesburg or Melbourne or Mumbai, we want to take the pitch out of the equation. With the batting line-up we have, if they post big totals and then we have bowlers who can take 20 wickets – we can keep taking those world championship points we’re after. Rahane was never going to go anywhere, he had to rediscover his touch which he’s done,” said Ravi Shastri.
The former India allrounder further lavished praise on Rohit Sharma who has made the most of his promotion as an opener. In four innings of the series, Rohit scored three centuries. Ravi Shastri also praised debutant Shahbaz Nadeem.
“When you need to open in Tests, you might get out in the first 10 balls. But Rohit did well to hang in there for the first two hours. And things changed after lunch for him to take advantage of that. The job satisfaction that an opener gets is wonderful.
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“Extremely impressed with Nadeem. He comes over the top and has a great wrist position. The guy has put in the yards at the domestic level and I am glad he finally had his chance at his home ground. He had no nerves and bowled three maidens on the trot. It is a team effort. Normally, in India you have two players hogging the limelight. But in this series, everyone chipped in. That is what you want,” said Ravi Shastri.
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India National Cricket Team India vs South Africa 2019 Ravi Shastri Rohit Sharma Shahbaz Nadeem
