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Ravi Ashwin, Virat Kohli (Image source: Twitter)
India were expected to dominate South Africa in their tour to the rainbow nation this time around. However, things didn't really go as planned for them as they were poor in both, the Test series, as well as the ODI series. While the Proteas went on to win the three-match Test series 2-1, they clean swept India in the three-match ODI series. So what exactly went wrong for the Asian side? Why weren't they able to beat the hosts despite having such a formidable side? Today, we shall be taking a look at three reasons why India were below par on South Africa tour.
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1) Poor performance of their middle-order:
India's middle-order was unimpressive, to say the least. Be it Cheteshwar Pujara and Ajinkya Rahane, who let their side down in the Test series, or the likes of Shreyas Iyer and Venkatesh Iyer in the 50-over games, none of them could get the big scores for India. As a matter of fact, the hosts could have won the first one-dayer if the middle order had stepped up.
2) Failing to capitalize on crunch moments:
There were several situations across the five games where India were in a dominant position. However, instead of taking advantage, they let the Proteas get back in the game time and again. There were a few instances during the Test series where two Indian batters put a massive partnership but the moment they were dismissed, the others followed. Similarly, the Indian bowlers failed to defend a total in access of over 200 twice in the Test series, in supposedly bowling-friendly conditions. Even in the ODIs, the Rahul-led side managed to pick wickets in quick succession in the first game but then let Temba Bavuma and Rassie van der Dussen build a big partnership.
3) KL Rahul's poor captaincy:
As harsh as it might sound, KL Rahul was below-average as a captain. Firstly, he allowed the Elgar-led side to get as many as 240 runs in the fourth innings of the Johannesburg Test. When it comes to the 50-over games, he looked absolutely clueless when the opposition were tightening the screw on India. It seemed like he didn't have any contingency plans itself, and let the game drift away. Besides, he looked very tentative with the bat as well, as if he was under huge pressure to perform.