The Freedom Trophy between India and South Africa consisted of 2 test matches that ended 1-1. Both teams showed excellent performance in this series. In the first match, South Africa completely dominated India and won 1st match by one inning and 32 runs. India made a tremendous comeback in 2nd match and won 2nd match by eight wickets which is against our South Africa vs India Series Predictions. The 2nd test match was finished in just two days. Here is the India vs South Africa Test Series Analysis.
Indian Top Order Performance
Indian top order completely failed in this series. Indian top 3 made only 24 runs in the first innings of 1st test. In the second innings, the top order also badly failed. All three batsmen got out on just 31 runs with a golden duck from skipper Rohit Sharma. In 2nd match, the bad form of the Indian top order continued. Indian young opener Yashasvi Jaiswal got out on a duck.
In the 2nd innings, when India needed only 79 runs to win, all three batsmen got out cheaply. If this issue is not resolved, it can become a big problem for India in the upcoming series against England. According to our India vs South Africa Test Series Analysis, Team India needed an experienced player like Pujara at number 3 for this series.
Importance of Virat Kohli for India
Virat Kohli yet again showed how important he is for the Indian team. He has performed so well for India over the years, which shows he is surely the backbone of the Indian cricket team in all formats. In the first test match, Virat Kohli scored 114 runs, and in the second match, he scored 58 runs. Virat Kohli scored on a challenging track where the Indian batting lineup struggled to score runs. He will be crucial for India in the test series against England.
Bad Form of Shreyas Iyar in Test Cricket
According to our India vs South Africa Test Series Analysis, he is one of the worst performers of this series, along with Gill. Shreyas Iyar is an excellent middle-order batsman for India. He played outstanding knocks for India in the World Cup 2023. Iyar was off-color in this test series. Shreyas Iyar scored only eight runs in 4 innings in this series. He has to score runs for India in tests; otherwise, his bad form can become a real problem for India in the future.
Two Debutants for India
Prasidh Krishna and Mukesh Kumar made a test debut for India in this series. Prasidh Krishna got only two wickets in this series. He played both matches of the series. Krishna was also expensive with the ball in the first test of the test series. He gave 93 runs in 20 overs in 1st test of the series. Mukesh Kumar got a chance in 2nd test match, and he made a serious impact with his bowling in 2nd test match. Mukesh Kumar got four vital wickets in 2nd match. In the first innings of 2nd match, Mukesh got two wickets for 0 runs.
Performance of Muhammad Siraj and Bumrah
Mohammad Siraj and Jasprit Bumrah again proved their worth on the Indian test side. Mohammad Siraj did not take many wickets for India in the T20 series against South Africa. But Siraj made a significant comeback in the test series against South Africa. He got nine wickets in this test series. On the other side, Bumrah took 12 wickets in two matches. For India, both bowlers are the highlight of our India vs South Africa Test Series Analysis.
Series of Make or Break for Records
India made an unwanted record in test cricket. In 150 years of test cricket, it was the first time a team’s six wickets went on zero runs. India was 153-4 in the first inning of the second test against South Africa and ended its inning on 153-10. India won this match by seven wickets, but this is one of the few records India will not want to have. It was the shortest test match ever.
Dean Elgar Retirement
One of South Africa’s most significant test batters, Dean Elgar, announced his retirement from international cricket after this series. This is the highlights of our India vs. South Africa Test Series Analysis. Dean Elgar made his test debut for South Africa in 2012. Since his debut, he has played many crucial knocks for South Africa in test cricket and set many significant records.
He scored more than 5000 runs for South Africa in test cricket which is Dean Elgar Career Highlight. Elgar carried the South African batting lineup as a senior batsman for over five years. He has also led the South African team in 18 test matches. In these 18 matches, South Africa won 9, Lost 8, and drew 1. He also got a Player of the Series award in his last test series.
Tony De Zorzi is The Next Big Thing for South Africa
Although Tony De Zorzi did not play big knocks in this series, in the ODI series, he showed that he can become the next best batsman in all formats for South Africa. Tony De Zorzi scored over 200 runs in the last ODI series for South Africa against India. Zorzi has scored 145 runs for South Africa in 7 test innings. He can become one of the greatest batsmen for South Africa in all formats if he adapts to test cricket as quickly as possible. According to our India vs South Africa Test Series Analysis, he is the next big thing.
Nandre Burger’s Burger’s Test Debut
Nandre Burger debuted in all cricket formats for South Africa in just 12 days. Nandre Burger made a test debut for South Africa in this series. Burger showed his magnificent bowling skills in this series. He got 11 wickets for South Africa in his debut test series. Burger got six wickets in his debut match. He got the crucial wicket of KL Rahul, who was batting on 101 runs in the first innings of 1st match of the series. Burger has all the skills that can make him the best left-arm fast bowler for South Africa as we further move in our India vs South Africa Test Series Analysis.
David Bedingham Debut
David Bedingham made a test debut for South Africa in this series. Bedingham became an important African player per our India vs South Africa Test Series Analysis. He scored fifty on his debut for South Africa. The 29-year-old Bedingham has an excellent average of 48.95 in first-class cricket. He is an experienced county player. David Bedingham reached 1000 county championship runs in 2023. All these stats show that David Bedingham is a good choice for South Africa as a middle-order player in test cricket.
These are the Best Performers of Freedom Trophy 2023-24. Let us know your thoughts on India vs South Africa Test Series Analysis.
