No Freebies - the recipe of success for Indian bowlers

Luck plays a role in success but only when you can create your own luck.  During the post lunch session the Indian bowlers beat the South African batsmen edges more than 20 times, they can be termed as luckless but in hindsight they were building towards success. 

Usually when batsmen is beaten more than dozen times it is because the length has been that fraction short and by the time the balls moves it has deviated too much to kiss the edge. For the Indian bowlers it was definitely not the case. In the matter of fact they had out bowled their accomplished opponents by hitting the fuller length, but they were just less fortunate.

In between all the dismay India rarely bowled a ‘four’ ball that we have all accustomed to.  Amla was seldom given room outside the off stump and the Indian bowlers hardly gave Smith any width. In the past the Indian bowlers have guilty of releasing the pressure with a boundary ball but today they were ruthless.   Although Smith and Amla put on a partnership in excess of 90, they were made to earn their runs.  Even though runs seem to flow a wicket always seemed imminent.

Luck is only for the unprepared and it certainly didn't play a role in the next four dismissals. The relentless line and length bowled by the Indian bowlers finally transformed into rich rewards.

Amla had got into mindset of leaving the good length balls but all of sudden Ishant hit the perfect length causing him to misjudge a ball that crashed into his off stump.  It was sort of a dismissal that is likely to play on Amla’s mind for the rest of the series.

Kallis on the other side of 38, has been LBW 5 of the last 6 innings. Perhaps he too is having problems picking up the full ball just like Tendulkar did in his twilight. It was a definite plan given Flectcher had employed similar tactics at Kallis with Flintoff when he was the coach of England back in 2007. Sharma went for full ball first up and Kallis played all across it to be trapped LBW for his first duck against India.

Smith fell to Zaheer again. Once again it was the same plan. Drawing him across the crease and then slipping in the inswinger.  Zaheer had his South African captain number once again.

Realising the ball was started to swing, Dhoni went to Shami immediately and he found the edge of Dumminy.

DeVilliers had not faced Shami in his 20 balls and the right handers seam position was angled towards slips but the ball jagged back and Devillers was late on the shot to be trapped LBW. It was brilliant bowling and superb captaincy.

India bowlers had the tide not only through persistent line and length but the secret lied in not dishing out four balls. India had certainly made their own luck to make the Test match into a intriguing contest.