Sanjay Manjrekar: This was the most beatable South African team

After India’s series draw with South Africa, former Indian cricketer Sanjay Manjrekar stated that the hosts were the most “beatable team” and that Dean Elgar’s 185 against India in the opening Centurion Test stopped India from making history. Additionally, he stated that since this is not a 50-over World Cup year, there was no purpose in hosting a three-match ODI series between T20Is and Tests.

Following the game, Manjrekar told ESPNCricinfo, “If I am the coach or the captain, I will look at it as a regret.” The teams that India had to defeat in South Africa were formidable ones, if you look back in time. The most beaten South African team was this one. The 185 of Dean Elgar stopped India from making history.”

“Said it before as well that there was no point of a three-match ODI series between the T20Is and the Test with it not even being an ODI World Cup year,” he continued. Since 1992–1993, India has made nine trips to South Africa, but they have never emerged victorious in a series there. Previously, when MS Dhoni was captain, they drew the series in the 2010–2011 season. In South Africa, they have only won five Test matches. Manjrekar added that without opener Dean Elgar, who left the South African team after scoring 5,347 runs in 86 Test matches, including 14 Tests and 23 half-centuries, the team’s future does not appear bright. In eight ODIs, he participated and scored 104 runs.

“Consider this South African squad in the absence of Dean Elgar. The first Test would have been lost by them. I don’t think the future is bright for Test cricket because they don’t place as much emphasis on it. Additionally, the bowling was unimpressive. The sun was out and the pitch was tricky, so I can understand Dean Elgar’s decision to bat first,” he said in closing. Prior to the game, South Africa chose to bat first. They were bowled out for just 55 runs in 23.2 overs, with the only two players to reach double digits being Kyle Verreynne (15) and David Bedingham (12). Proteas’ top and middle order collapsed under Mohammed Siraj’s explosive 6/15 spell, which also included wickets from Jasprit Bumrah (2/25) and Mukesh Kumar (0/2).

India was 153/4 at one point in their first innings thanks to strong scores from Shubman Gill (36 in 55 balls, five fours), Rohit Sharma (39 in 50 balls, seven fours), and Virat Kohli (46 in 59 balls, six fours and a six). However, a three-wicket over from Lungi Ngidi saw India out of the game in 34.5 overs. For South Africa, Ngidi (3/30), Kagiso Rabada (3/38) and Nandre Burger (3/42) each claimed three wickets.

With Aiden Markram (36*) accounting for most of the scoring, SA concluded the first day at 62/3 later in their second innings. Dean Elgar, the captain, scored 12 runs in his last innings of the Test. Bumrah took one wicket, while Mukesh took two. The following day, despite a valiant century from Markram (106 in 103 balls with 17 fours and 2 sixes), India needed just 79 runs to win thanks to Bumrah’s six-wicket haul (6/61). SA was dismissed for 176 in 36.5 overs.

Siraj and Prasidh Krishna each claimed one wicket, while Mukesh Kumar claimed two. India chased down the total with seven wickets remaining in 12 overs thanks to blows from opener Yashasvi Jaiswal (28) and captain Rohit Sharma (16*). With a 1-1 score, Siraj was named the “Player of the Match” and both teams shared the trophy.