Long way to the top, quick way down

There were two five-wicket hauls picked up and the first century of the series scored on a day when 13 wickets fell for 224 runs. But the biggest story of the day was yet another abject batting failure from South Africa. Unlike Nagpur or Mohali, this was not a treacherous pitch that was playing on their minds. Like in the previous two Tests, it was a case of lack of application. Often in the game, these are due to problems between the ears. Bear in mind that South Africa are 2-0 down and coming towards the end of a long tour. The countdown to the flight back home must be playing on their minds as well. It's interesting how long tours are often played out this way.

South Africa came in as the No. 1 ranked Test side. Surely, they must be able to show a lot more fight, one would presume. The importance of the losses in Mohali and Nagpur cannot be underplayed. Taken as a standalone example, the Ferozeshah Kotla pitch had 'something in it for everyone', said Dane Piedt on Thursday (December 3) and was echoed by Russell Domingo today. However, it comes after two losses.

The pitch factor must have already started playing on an exaggerated loop in the minds of a few South Africans. Hashim Amla and Faf du Plessis have walked from innings to innings barely showing up at the crease. The shot-selections have been flawed. They are getting out to deliveries that would have otherwise been clobbered, dropping catches that would have been gobbled up usually, and falling apart on the field.

Russell Domingo sighed and struggled to pinpoint a particular area that had gone wrong for them. "There's no dead rubber when you play international cricket, and the players were all keen to play good cricket, which we haven't done in the last few weeks. It has been a long tour, but that is no excuse. There is a lot of pride in that change-room, and a lot of hurt players after than performance that we put up today."

"Whether it was subconsciously one foot on the plane, can't comment on that. Thought our preparation was as good as it has been for every other Test match.You think of so many things that you can put your finger on, and things just haven't gone for us. And you need to make own luck, and credit to India. Things have gone for them, because they have played better cricket. We have been sub-par, and things haven't gone for us," the coach said.

It's a funny thing how the travel-bug catches hold of touring teams. England's whitewash in Australia and India's unremarkable 0-8 run in Australia and England, and Australia's forgettable trip to India are some of the examples that spring to mind. "Everything that could go wrong, has gone wrong for South Africa. Once we've been under pressure, we've fallen away badly, and they haven't," says Domingo.

It is always the case in an utterly bad tour. But South Africa's downfall in this series has been stunning because of the speed at which it has come about.Just a few weeks ago, the touring party had everything going for them, having won the T20I and ODI series. The contrast between every format of cricket is quite stark and Test cricket is definitely not a walk in the park. South Africa have had a change in personnel. The squad isn't the same one that had built-up a stunning unbeaten streak overseas, but the capitulation has been phenomenal. If there was a lookout for a single-point factor that played on their minds then it was definitely the pitches.

Twice in the series after pinning India down on the first day, the team was still guarded in asserting their supremacy. In Mohali, Dean Elgar had picked up four wickets on the opening day but was unsure if South Africa would make more on the same pitch. Yesterday, Dane Piedt had this to say when India were 231 for 7 at stumps. "The game is still even. It depends on how we bowl tomorrow morning, but if we can keep them under 250 should be a good score. I think the odd ball is still skidding on, and we are getting the odd to bounce."

These were statements that belied confidence and ones that shed light on the mindset of the team currently. A lot of them would have most definitely expected conditions to be tough in India. It doesn't help that the senior lot, with the exception of de Villiers, haven't been able to buy a run. It doesn't help that their premier strike bowler was consumed by injury. It doesn't help that the leg-spinner doesn't inspire confidence in his captain. It doesn't help that the bug has spread rapidly.

South Africa will be clutching at the positives to help them through. The squad is largely a young one. They have not been able to negate the absence of the likes of Steyn and Philander, even on pitches aiding spin a lot. Kyle Abbott's remarkable 5 for 40 in nearly 25 overs under taxing pressure is an effort to cherish, as well as gain confidence from.

"Cricket is a strange game, though you may be foolish for putting money on South Africa to win this game, if we can do something special with the ball, bowl them out for 120, and chase 320, then we are in the game. We know we are a long way behind, but we are optimistic, because cricket is a funny game," says Domingo. The squad would do well to keep believing in what the coach says.