South Africa lost the first test of the three match Freedom Series against India but fought really hard and took the game into the fifth and final day to show that they could compete in difficult conditions with a rather inexperienced team.
The Indians were looking forward to another tough test match in Pune but this time around the Proteas surrendered rather tamely and ended up losing the match and the series. The Proteas were forced to follow on after a poor batting display in the first innings. They did a lot worse in the second innings and lost by an innings and 137 runs.
South Africa is a proud cricketing nation that has faltered badly in the last 12 months in all formats of the game. They failed to make it to the quarter-finals of the 2019 ICC World Cup for the first time since their return to international cricket and their fans were terribly disappointed.
The lack of fight and tame surrender in the second test was another let down for fans back home who took to social media to give the players a lot of flak and what many will consider due criticism.
South Africa was outplayed in both the batting and bowling departments in the second test but it was the batting that let them down the most. When three out of the top six players (Aiden Markram, Theunis de Bruyn and Temba Bavuma) end up failing in both innings, it will also be tough to put big runs on the board.
The bowlers also struggled as Vernon Philander and debutant Anrich Nortje ended up wicketless. The Proteas main spinner Keshav Maharaj sent down 50 overs, went at nearly 4 an over and ended up taking just 1 wicket.
Faf du Plessis has made some strange decisions in the second test that has put his captaincy under further scrutiny. He decided to bat at number 6 in the first innings which makes no sense as he is the captain and most experienced batsmen. The fact that they decided to choose A Nortje over Lungi Ngidi for the second test was also baffling.
The Proteas might have to replace Faf du Plessis with Quinton de Kock and make a few more changes as they look to revamp the side and start afresh in 2020.
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