That India have been having a torrid time ever since stepping out of home comfort would be an understatement. In fact, November 27, 2013 was the last time they tasted victory in an international match – yes it was that long back, and that game too was a one-day international against a weak West Indies at home in Kanpur. Since, they have lost two of the three ODIs in South Africa (one match was abandoned), and one Test at Durban. They almost lost the Johannesburg Test as well but managed to hold on to a draw. Presently in New Zealand, they are preparing for the Tests after having lost four one-dayers out of the five matches apart from managing to tie one. A rewind of India’s winless streak in international cricket.
December 5: 1st ODI at Johannesburg;lost by 141 runs
Quinton de Kock’s magnificent 135 took them to 358 for 4 and India struggled, making just 217 in reply, MS Dhoni top-scoring with 65. Struggling stat: India’s Mohit Sharma conceded 82 runs in his 10 overs.
December 8: 2nd ODI at Durban;lost by 134 runs
Quinton de Kock and Hashim Amla both made hundred but India fought back to restrict South Africa to 280 for 6. The target proved to be too much as India stumbled to 146 all out. Struggling stat: Shikhar Dhawan and Virat Kohli made ducks.
December 18-22: 1st Test at Johannesburg ends in drawn
After the third ODI at Centurion was abandoned due to rain, the teams headed into the Tests. India showed some spunk batting first, but in spite of Virat Kohli’s 119 the visitors were restricted to 280. India replied well and held South Africa to 244, Zaheer Khan and Ishant Sharma picking up four wickets. India made a magnificent 421 in their second innings, Cheteshwar Pujara making 153 and Kohli 96. Defending 458, India almost lost the match as hundreds from Faf du Plessis and AB de Villiers took them to 450 for 7. Struggling stat: Zaheer picked up one wicket in 34 overs.
December 26-30: 2nd Test at Durban, lost by 10 wickets
Thanks to Murali Vijay’s 97 and Pujara’s 70, India made 334 batting first. Jacques Kallis led the way for Proteas in his final game; his 115 taking South Africa to 500. India managed only 223 in their second, and South Africa chased down 58 with ease. Struggling stat: Rohit Sharma made a duck and 25.
January 19: 1st ODI at Napier, lost by 24 runs
Kiwis registered 292 batting first with three half-centurions. In spite of Kohli’s magnificent 123, India were bowled out for 268. Struggling stat: Ishant Sharma conceded 72 runs in 9 overs.
January 22: 2nd ODI at Hamilton, lost by 15 runs (D/L)
Kane Williamson’s 71 took them to 271 for 7 in 42 overs batting first. India responded with 277 for 9, but were chasing 293. Struggling stat: Dhawan made 12 from 22 balls
January 28: 4th ODI at Hamilton, lost by 7 wickets
After escaping to a tie at Auckland, India made 278 for 5 batting first with fifties from Rohit, Dhoni and Jadeja. But, Ross Taylor’s unbeaten 112 took the Kiwis to an easy series win. Struggling stat: Varun Aaron was blasted for 51 runs in 6.1 overs.
January 31: 5th ODI at Wellington, lost by 87 runs
Taylor smashed another ton as New Zealand, batting first, amassed 303 for 5. India collapsed to 216 in reply, Kohli’s 82 being the only score of note. Struggling stat: India were 30 for 3 after 13.2 overs.
--By A Cricket Analyst
