In three tests India has prepared three different pitches in an effort to overcome the South Africans, in the first test a true flat track was prepared, clearly India wanted to neutralize the threat of pace bowling posed by the SA pace battery, but they also they over estimated their own bowling strength as a result we saw the match ending in a dull draw.
In the second match the Indians got carried away by the batting display of their team on a placid track in the first test and dared to make a fast bouncy track for the second test, the South Africans were delighted and made full use of the conditions and won the match in just three days again the Indian management over estimated their own bowling.
In the third test India has prepared a crumbling track with Sharp turn and a low bounce I reckon again they have overestimated their spin bowlers in the absence of Kumble and under estimated the capability of South African to play Spin. South Africa were all out for 265 at the end of the first days play, they have done fairly well but must be disappointed with themselves for not capitalizing on a wonderful start, the fate of this match might get decided tommorrow and may totally depend on how India bats on this pitch, finally in the series they have got a wicket which can play to their strength but given the raw pace of the South African bowlers a slow wicket might not come in their way.
India was finally able to level the series 1-1, India last wicket stand between Stretched their over night lead of 23 to 60,South African bowlers failed to break the partnership for at least one hour,I was surprised to see that they didnt pitched short stuff to the tailenders on a regular basis just to unnerve them only Morkel bowled a few bouncers Steyn was unimpressive during that one hour of play.
South African batsmen had already lost the game mentally wickets kept on tumbling one after another, Sehwag exploited the pitch better than Harbhajan he gave less flight and put more revolutions on the ball and bowled a bit faster too give less time to the batsman to adjust his shot as a result he got vicious turn and got the early break throughs. Dhoni again led the team well.
After watching this match I have come to the conclusion that modern day batsmen have more shots and they score more quickly but when conditions are challenging they do not have any defense.
It was a treat to watch the Indian Batting line up battle against the South African bowlers although the pitch is slow but it has variable bounce, the Indian Batsmen displayed finesse and technique they did their home work this time around, Ganguly and VVS played a very special knock the lead is slim and the match is still wide open.
All the analysts are showering heaps of praises on the Indian batsman about their technique and how they managed the South Afican bowling on a mean track, but in my opinion this track is not as mean as the one in the second test.
Its a slow wicket with a variable bounce the turn is not vicious besides Indian batsmen are used to play on such tracks, and above all the slowness of the wicket has already taken the venom out of the South African bowling.