South Africa’s head coach, Shukri Conrad, has unveiled the strategic thinking behind his team’s audacious late declaration in the Guwahati Test. The Proteas aimed to exhaust the Indian team, forcing them into a grueling chase under challenging evening conditions. By extending their lead to 548 and declaring with just 15.5 overs remaining on Day 4, South Africa sought to put the Indian batsmen under immense pressure.
Conrad drew inspiration from a historical quote, wanting India to ‘spend as much time on their feet’ as possible, echoing sentiments of past tactical showdowns. ‘We wanted them to really grovel,’ Conrad explained post-play, detailing the plan to tire out the opposition. The declaration was timed to allow the bowlers to exploit the new ball in the fading light, a crucial element of their strategy. This tactical move was underpinned by the knowledge that South Africa already held a 1-0 series lead and that India faced a near-impossible task to chase down such a substantial target.
The coach highlighted the benefits of bowling with a new, hard ball in the morning, contrasting it with the advantages offered by the shadows and evening conditions for pace bowlers. He emphasized that the team’s dominant performance throughout the Test and the series advantage allowed them to dictate terms. South Africa’s objective was clear: to secure a definitive 2-0 series victory, rather than merely protecting their lead. Despite the pitch remaining favorable for batting, Conrad expressed confidence in his bowling attack, particularly Marco Jansen’s efficacy and the team’s growing reliance on spinners like Simon Harmer. This strategic embrace of spin signals a potential shift in South Africa’s cricketing identity, aiming for sustainable success and inspiring young spinners back home.