South Africa has finally halted the Indian juggernaut by inflicting a humiliating defeat at the Nagpur Test. This loss is unique in many ways . It is first time in the last 25 years that Indian cricket team have lost a by an innings and a few runs. It is also first time that a few seasoned and battle-hardened campaigners like Dravid and Laxman were not there to assist India. Indian cricket lovers were treated with some magnificent performances leading to emergence of India at the top of the table. But as you know 'uneasy lies the head that wears the crown'! To lose is a sin now. No cricket fan is going to forgive any meek surrender. The aftermath of this shocking would be pretty predictable. A few chopping chopping and changes here and there. But the need of the hour is to sit calmly and do a postmortem of this defeat, to learn the appropriate lessons if we are to get back to our winning ways. A loss could be a blessing in disguise.

The South African are not bad tourists as the results of their last tour in India would indicate and this their achievement looks all the more laudable as the recent ouster of their coach, practically left the team without any coach. But the team has a very shrewd tactician in the person of it captain Graeme Smith who marshalled his bowling resources very well. He knows the traditional weaknesses of the Indian batsmen against genuine pace and absence of some of our greatest batsmen and let loose Steyn to do the job for him. This young bowler has made a very bold statement by his superb bowling that he has finally arrived. He was just on the rampage and very few could emerge with their reputation unscathed. It was again Sachin Tendulkar and Shewag who shone as brightly as they could for a lost cause. The batting maestro got his 46^th ton in a match which he would find it difficult to forget. Quite amusingly some cricket pundit so often suggest that he should retire to make way for youngsters. It should be a lesson for them to learn before they make any such suggestion next time.

Losses an wins are part of the life and game as well. This defeat has proved at least one thing loud an clear that India's bowling department is woefully short of quality and we are not ready with the replacements for our aging veterans as the performances of the new players inducted into side, would indicate. Let us hope with the return of seniors, Team India would be able to retrieve its prestige and succeed in holding on to its number one position.

• Written by chinmoymukherjee.
• In category Cricket.
• 14 years ago.

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