The hard-fought Test match between India and South Africa in Chennai left fans wanting more of the longer format of the game. South Africa, who are not used to playing Test cricket as often, showed great resilience and fought till the end. India, on the other hand, showcased their dominance once again, proving to be a formidable force.
Laura Wolvaardt, a player for South Africa, often uses the phrase "Cricket is a funny game" in post-match presentations, which has become a running joke among journalists. She highlighted the challenges faced by her team in preparing for the Test, as red-ball cricket is not a regular part of South Africa's domestic season.
Despite losing the match by 10 wickets, South Africa's gritty performance, led by centuries from Sune Luus and Wolvaardt, was commendable. Their resilience and determination to save the Test match earned them praise from fans and experts alike.
India, who have been performing well in Test cricket recently, faced a tough challenge from South Africa on a turning Chepauk surface. The spinners bowled tirelessly, with Sneh Rana shining with her career-best figures. Captain Harmanpreet Kaur acknowledged the tough fight put up by South Africa and emphasised the importance of playing more Test matches.
Both teams expressed their love for the longer format of the game and the desire to play more Test cricket in the future. While South Africa hopes to improve their skills in red-ball cricket through more domestic games, India looks forward to continuing their success in the format.