IND vs SA: Last Test Would Have Given South Africa A Massive Boost: Vernon Philander Feels Proteas Can Go For Test Series Win
Published - 09 Jan 2022, 02:48 PM | Updated - 23 Aug 2024, 01:03 AM
South Africa rode on their skipper Dean Elgar’s coattails as the opener led the 240-run chase, the highest by any team at the Wanderers.
Elgar deployed the resolute defensive game that saw him taking too many blows on his body but yet he remained unbeaten on 96 from 188 balls.
Elgar also received support from the other end as well with Aiden Markram (31), Keegan Petersen (28) and Rassie van der Duseen (40) playing important roles in flowing the runs against Jasprit Bumrah & co.
It was probably the best batting performance: Vernon Philander
Former South Africa pace bowler Vernon Philander heaped praise over South African batters for the highest run-chase at the Wanderers and called it the best batting performance by the Proteas.
Philander also had his equal share of appreciation for the South African bowlers led by Kagiso Rabada to come back strongly against India.
“It was probably the best batting performance I’ve seen from the Proteas in a while. The guys were really clinical, and I think the way Dean led with the bat was phenomenal. He made sure he stayed in to build partnerships with the other batters around him,” Philander told Cricket South Africa’s official website.
“We’ve always been known to be slow starters, but the way the boys bounced back after losing the toss as well was excellent. There was a lot of expectations on the bowlers to bowl India out and they did that. I thought they bowled phenomenally well in partnerships.
“They probably started a little bit slow in the second innings and may have been disappointed with the areas they hit. They could have been trying too hard and in the process afforded India more opportunities than they would have expected,” he added.
Don’t think there’s much between the two teams going into Cape Town: Vernon Philander
India and South Africa will head to Cape Town to play the series-decider fixture of the three-match Test series in South Africa.
Philander believes that Elgar and his men will take a high level of confidence from their win in Johannesburg and will carry it into Cape Town to win the series.
“I don’t think there’s much between the two teams going into Cape Town. The last Test would have given South Africa a massive boost on all fronts,”
“Very often that is all that you need, one win as a team to give you that confidence and momentum. They will feel they now have that behind them and they can go on to win the series.
“Coming to Newlands, one of our favourite hunting grounds, I’m really looking forward to the final Test. It’s going to be a cracker,” he added.
South Africa will play against India in the third Test at the Newlands in Cape Town, the match begins on January 11.
