Cricket News sort by India tour of South Africa 2013-14

India would be dishonest if they do not admit that there is a tinge of disappointment in the camp after they could not bowl out the South Africans on day five of the Wanderers Test, having set them a mammoth 458.

South Africa have their backs to the walls going into the final day with 8 wickets in hand to save the First Test at Johannesburg. After a wonderful opening partnership, SA lost two prized wickets to end Day 4, 320 runs away from an improbable victory.

There was nothing surprising about Cheteshwar Pujara’s brilliant hundred on day three of the Johannesburg Test, which put India in a commanding position.

India are already in the driver’s seat in the Johannesburg Test courtesy of a huge partnership between Cheteshwar Pujara and Virat Kohli.

Vernon Philander’s all-round performance rescued South Africa both with the ball and the bat on Day 2 in the First Test at Johannesburg. The hosts finished the day’s play at 213 for 6 in 66 overs with a deficit of 67 runs to wipe before getting into the lead.

Following the manner in which the Indian batsmen were outdone by the South African pacers in the two one-dayers, there wasn’t much optimism as they headed into the first Test at Johannesburg on Wednesday.

India tour of South Africa: South Africa Vs India 1 st Test at Johannesburg, Dec 18-22, 2013 Match scheduled to begin at 10:30 local time (08:30 GMT)

Before the one-day series kicked off in South Africa, Indian skipper MS Dhoni had stated that playing the one-dayers ahead of the Tests would prepare them better for the Test challenges ahead.

India may have lost the one-day series against South Africa, but if there is one positive that they can take going into the short two-Test match series, it is the fact that they have never lost a Test at Johannesburg, a rarity for India at a foreign venue.