Traditionally, India's batting is its dominant hand. Called on to both defend and attack.
Yesterday, however at Capetown, it was India's bowling that was called up. Was their job to attack and get South Africa out. The weather serving as the catalyst.
Or defend India's famed batting.
Was Dhoni worried about the batsmen who have put up 3 scores of less than 250 in the 4 innings so far on the tour.
Historically Capetown entertains its batsmen for the first few days before it invites its bowlers to the party. If that is true, then once again India will be batting when the pitch is at its worst.
Of all the tosses Dhoni had to win, he won the one that he would have been better off losing.
From being dismissive of his bowlers after centurion, he is now entirely seduced by them. Why the sudden mood swing?
I think the 1990 Lords Test is still not completely out of my system. In a sudden bout of aggression that must have come over the normally gentle and conservative Mohammed Azharuddin, he invited England to bat on winning the toss.
Captain and opener, Graham Gooch scored a triple hundred.
Yesterday was not that bad of course, but 200 odd for 4 down after having put the opposition in does not justify the decision to field first. The batters needed to be given first use of the pitch. Surely three chances should be enough to finally get the opening day batting right
On the surface, India's record in the last 6 tests, on the road, where they have invited the opposition to bat, makes good reading. 5 wins to 1 loss.
The details will make you slightly less impressed. 3 of the wins have come against New Zealand, Bangladesh and Zimbabwe.
Further specifics will make you wonder if we have given away to much already on day one. In the 2 wins against strong teams, India bowled out England for 198 in Nottingham 2007 and Pakistan for 224 at Rawalpindi in 2004.
Clearly the results justified the intent. Then.
What was India intending to do yesterday. Hide their batsman or expose South Africa's. If its the former, the mission's accomplished, if its the later it was at best a 50-50 day. Not entirely disappointing.
