Iceland Cricket takes a funny dig at South Africa for their poor show in India

South Africa have strained to put forth a comprehensive performance in their ongoing three-match Test series versus India. The team, led by Faf du Plessis, lost the opening Test in Visakhapatnam by 203 runs to concede a 1-0 lead to their opponent. The hosts outplayed them in all three departments, especially in the second innings where the Indian bowling was a tough nut to crack.

The Proteas are in a precarious position even in the second Test at the MCA Stadium in Pune. After losing the toss and being put into field, very few things have gone right for them. India scored a mammoth 601 in their first innings courtesy of Virat Kohli’s seventh Test double century, Mayank Agarwal’s second ton in the format and Ravindra Jadeja’s quickfire 91 off 104 deliveries.

Cheteshwar Pujara and Ajinkya Rahane notched fifties to propel India’s score. Only Rohit Sharma floundered as he could only manage 14 runs before Kagiso Rabada found his outside-edge. For the Proteas, Rabada was the most successful with three wickets. Keshav Maharaj also picked up 100 Test wickets, dismissing Rahane. South Africa had their travails in the first innings on a turning surface.

Proteas huffing and puffing 

They lost three wickets at the fag end of day two. Even on Day three, they looked jittery to start with. Du Plessis scored 64 off 117 balls with the help of seven boundaries. After being reduced to 162 for eight in 58.3 overs, the visiting team was set to concede a massive lead. However, Maharaj and Vernon Philander had other ideas and the duo made India work hard for their wickets.

They put on 109 for the ninth wicket. Maharaj got out on 72 and Philander stayed unbeaten on 44 off 192 balls. The Proteas were bowled out for 275, thereby giving away a lead of 326 runs. In the meantime, Iceland Cricket took a sly dig at the visitors for another poor show. It put forth the Kolpak Deal, which has been signed by a number of South African cricketers, over the years.

Iceland Cricket took to Twitter and wrote, “In fairness to South Africa, their players may be finding it hard to concentrate on this series. They only have 20 days left to get Kolpak contracts with the counties.”

Here is Iceland Cricket’s tweet

In fairness to South Africa, their players may be finding it hard to concentrate on this series. They only have 20 days left to get Kolpak contracts with the counties. #INDvSA

— Iceland Cricket (@icelandcricket) October 12, 2019

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