Second South Africa Test: Fear of the unknown

Kingsmead is not a happy hunting ground for the Indians and the look of the pitch for the 2nd Test will not really calm the nerves of Dhoni & Co. Durban is India’s big Test — the grass cover and wet weather make it all the more daunting.

The Kingsmead pitch could well be a piece of horticultural hotchpotch. The grass layer, at places, is as thick as Mumbai’s telephone directory, cracks, at places, are as distinct as the surfers on the north beach in front of the team hotel here and the moisture inside is as tangible as the chill in the Durban air. The prevailing wet weather, the damp forecast for the next three days and the inbuilt bounce in the wicket… reading this pitch would be as easy as solving the Rubik’s Cube.

Some may get to solve that puzzle easily but few would like to be in the position of captain Mahendra Singh Dhoni. The India skipper, rarely lucky with the toss, may not, after all, mind if he loses the toss once again on Sunday, as what to expect of the 22-yard strip could be a big conundrum. To bat or bowl first may not be an easy decision for a captain as the bluff and bluster about the mystery over the pitch has added a new dimension to the second Test between India and South Africa.

The key point, though, is how long will the Test last? The Kingsmead, the traditional Boxing Day Test venue, has not been exactly a happy hunting ground for the home team, which has lost three out of the last five Tests, and the buzz here is that the hosts will go out for a green top and finish off the series here. One of their two wins here had come against India in 2006, when Rahul Dravid-led side had come here with a 1-0 lead.

This time around, the story is different. India come here with 0-1 deficit, with a series to save and a ranking to preserve. Thus, the last Test of the year will be the biggest test for the world No.1 side.

They will have to raise the roof.

Dhoni’s men have raised their roof in the recent past, winning matches when pushed to the corner. They had done it in Kolkata earlier this year against this very opposition when the No.1 position was at stake. They had done it in Colombo against Sri Lanka this year, again when the No 1 position was at stake. They had done it against Australia recently, when their backs were to the wall. Not for nothing they have been the No.1 Test team in the world.

“Every game is big for us. As I always say, being No 1 or when you are on course to becoming No 1, every game is important. Irrespective of where you are lying in a particular series. Whether you are playing in the sub-continent or outside, every Test for us is equal. We don’t consider one Test match more important than the other,” Dhoni said trying not to put additional pressure on themselves. “We believe in taking care of small things so we respect every Test, and not taking any extra pressure.”

The loss in the first Test has evidently led to immense introspection and self-examination and the team looked all geared up at the nets. They are expected to make a few changes, with Zaheer Khan coming in place of Jaidev Unadkat and a flashy Suresh Raina making way for a solid Cheteshwar Pujara.

As South Africa coach Corrie van Zyl says factors like the pitch, the weather, toss, Dale Steyn’s spell and Virender Sehwag’s start could be crucial to the final outcome of the Test but India can afford only one result. India should unleash all their punches to win this Boxing Day Test. Best wishes for the bout, MS Dhoni!