There are matches that are a challenge to a team. Others reveal one. The victory of India over South Africa by nine wickets in Vizag had done the later -a seven-wicket performance with a lot of control, patience and silent dominance. The win was not just a great margin, but the way everything looked so natural and uncomplicated in India that it made the victory special.
The bowlers of India started the evening on a low note. The initial achievement was the breakthrough that occurred at the beginning, but the main effect was realized later, when the spins slowed down the scoring and South Africa had to make awkward strokes. Ravindra Jadeja played the surface wisely and Kuldeep Yadav worked like he was aware that the game was tipping towards him. It was not a mystery that made him get four wickets but discipline and reading the intentions of the batters.
Prasidh Krishna had a shaky beginning, however, he came up with the spell that struck South Africa back. There were three middle-order wickets, and it was a constant reconstruction, not attack on the part of the visitors. Even the fluent hundred by Quinton de Kock seemed to be an isolated act instead of the highlight of a resounding performance. The 270 did not look bad on paper but India had the feeling it had taken over.
That feeling was strengthened immediately by the chase. Rohit Sharma was batting with a softness that appeared that the pitch is harmless. His time, his shot distribution, even his temper of character all were to one end, the lessening of pressure before it should manifest itself. His 75 was the opening, though it enabled the rest of the Indian batting to breathe too.
Yashasvi Jaiswal however provided the identity of the innings. The thing was not the power but the balance a young player walking an ODI chase and behaving as though it is something one has been doing all his life. He had got off to a slow start, got into his stride, and gradually became the surest element in the crease. His maiden ODI century did not come to him like a bolt of light; it was a made declaration that he is in his place.
It was Virat Kohli at the other end who did what he has always done best, seal chases without making noise or ordeal. His half-century that was undefeated had been almost effortless, his hand stretched out to the control which India had held over him since the first ball of the chase was thrown.
The tale was not of a big win by the time the match was over, which had over 10 overs to go. It concerned the composure of the bowling of India, the manliness of a new opener, and the encouraging steerage of two old champions in control of the innings.
Vizag did not only earn India a series win, it provided us with a preview of a team that has a clear idea of how it wants to play -and is now starting to play like that.
