Stalemate at Newlands?

India 414. South Africa 373. India leads by 41 runs.

India did well in the end to gain a lead of 41. It could have been much better when the South African scorecard read 283/6. It could have been much worse when the South African scorecard read 177/2.

The only grouse I have with the Indian effort was the ground fielding. I mean, even schoolboys put in more effort during galli games and here are members of Team India, proud owners of the India cap, who were, to put it mildly, pathetic.

So where now from here.?IMHO, India needs to bat for 80 overs tomorrow. Target a score of around 260-280, which, when coupled with the lead, should put India in a position of comfort.

As a statement of intent, India could even re-jig the batting order, with VVS coming in at 3 and Rahul at 5. ( Or how about this batting order - Sachin, Sehwag, VVS, SCG, RD, WJ, KKDK, ZK, AK, SS, MP? That will be a real statement of intent :) )

Batting 80 overs will give India about 8 overs in the evening tomorrow to have a go at the Proteas, and the seamers can resume afresh on Saturday. This also allows India to use up about 20-25 overs prior to getting the spinners on.

What if India capitulates? Even in that situation, if India can have an overall score of 140-150, it will be a tricky score chasing last.India will, in such circumstances, go for an all out attack, and with South Africa under pressure to win the series, could lead to a very interesting passage of play.

All in all, India still holds 3 of the 4 aces going into Day 4.