You Will Be Found Wanting If You Aren’t At Top Of Your Game – Faf du Plessis
Oct 15, 2019 at 6:14 PM
South African skipper Faf du Plessis stated that his team was found wanting in the second Test match against India as they were not at the top of their game. India thrashed the Proteas by a big margin of an innings and 137 runs to take an impregnable lead of 2-0 in three-match series. The hosts’ have dominated the visitors in every department of the game.
Read More: Keshav Maharaj Ruled Out Of Ranchi Test Due To Shoulder Injury
In fact, South Africa hasn’t been able to challenge the Indian team. The Rainbow nation could only manage 275 runs in the first innings and they were bundled out for 189 runs in the second innings. The Indian team has ticked the right boxes in every sphere of the game whereas South Africa hasn’t come up with a collective effort.
South Africa hasn’t performed up to the mark.
Faf du Plessis said in the post-match presentation, “We know in the sub-continent, first innings is really important. The runs that you put on the board, give yourself a chance. But the way India batted and especially Virat getting 250 (254) takes a lot of mental toughness. To put a score like that in the first innings and two days on the field got us down. The batsmen were weak on mindset for fielding for so long. You have to be on top of your best game if you aren’t then you are found wanting. We saw in the first Test as well, as a captain you try and think of ways about the field placements”.
On the other hand, Virat Kohli scored a sublime knock of 254 runs which was his seventh double century. Kohli became the first Indian batsman to score seven double centuries going past Sachin Tendulkar and Virender Sehwag. Faf added that the Indian captain had answers to all the questions they asked from him.
Kohli was at his best.
“All the questions and stuff we threw at him (Virat Kohli), he had the answers. Just relentless and sticking to his game. For me what really stuck out was the hunger for runs”.
South Africa had gone with three pacers in the second Test match but they could not find assistance on a helpful pitch. Faf du Plessis believes that the selection was right for the Pune track. The South African skipper also added that Lungi Ngidi is fit and he can be included for the final Test.
Read More: India Vs South Africa: Umesh Yadav Credits Wriddhiman Saha For His Wicket
“I feel it was the right selection for this pitch; I thought it was the right-decision picking an extra seamer. KG managed to build some pressure but we needed another bowler to compete, who could do that job. When you look at the Indian attack, they bowl well in pairs. It was a young fast bowler making his (about Nortje) debut, it’s about learning and improving. Ngidi is fine and is working hard on his fitness. It’s about getting his tank up and hopefully, we’ll see if he plays the next Test. All in all, India deservedly are the Test series winners and their record speaks for itself. We will try to improve in the next Test”.
India and South Africa will play the third Test match at Ranchi from October 19.