MS Dhoni has said India were completely outplayed by South Africa as they crashed to an innings defeat in Nagpur on Tuesday. His counterpart, Graeme Smith, credited the maturity of his team-mates in handling a difficult fortnight in which their coach quit and the selection panel was sacked.
"We were completely outplayed," Dhoni said after the game. "We are on the back foot, they can't lose the series now. So we are under the pressure but this is India, we are always under pressure. The last time they came, they were ahead and in the same position."
Dhoni, losing his first Test as captain, said Dale Steyn's bowling was the best display of conventional swing bowling he had seen in the last two years. "Seven of the 14 dismissals [of the regular batsmen] were out to great deliveries ... the ball was changed in the tea break on Monday and we lost five quick wickets. It changed everything."
Smith was all praise for his team. "It has been an outstanding performance from the guys. To win here, you need lots of discipline and the guys have showed it. There were a few special individual performances but it was a good team effort."
He did, however, single out Steyn's bowling, which gave him his fourth ten-for in a Test. "Its nice to have someone like [Steyn]. To run in like that and bowl as he did… It all happened so quickly even for us; it was great to watch."
Hashim Amla, adjudged the man of the match for his 253, called it one of his best knocks. "I came to the crease at a crucial time…Everybody feels a bit of pressure and I am just grateful that I got an opportunity to put the team in a good position. I have had a few good partnerships with Jacques; once we both got in we complemented each other .. when I wasn't scoring he was and vice versa."
The teams now have an extra day off following a four-day finish, before travelling to Kolkata for the final Test, which starts on February 14. India's selectors are expected to announce the squad for that match on
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