In recent times, India have been consistently incompetent, and sporadically brilliant. Inspired by the invertebral collapse of their top order yesterday, the Indian bowlers took ineffectualness to new levels today. No brilliance yet in this match; if it comes, it will come too late. Nasser Hussain will take heart from the way the Indian bowlers performed today. They were battered not by excellent South African batting, but by their own waywardness, and the damage to their confidence was self-inflicted. If they take this form into the first Test at Mohali, England's glimmer of hope will be positively bedazzling.

Javagal Srinath, perhaps shocked and embarrassed by his outstanding performance at Port Elizabeth, reverted back to his normal self, and led the others in serving up a full menu of bad deliveries: juicy half-volleys, lollipop long-hops, mouth-watering full-tosses – polite gourmands as they were, the South Africans lapped it up.

Both Kumble and Harbhajan looked a parody of themselves. Kumble has a bit of a reputation for being all at sea overseas, but more was expected of Harbhajan, partly because he actually does spin the ball. South Africa – even Gibbs, earlier expected to be his bunny – had the measure of him; they'd have stitched out a shroud if he wanted.

The biggest indictment of the bowlers was that Sachin Tendulkar looked like the only one capable of taking a wicket - which he duly did, off the last ball of the day.

If yesterday will be remembered for the stodgy resoluteness of Dasgupta and Kumble, today's highlight was the man who scored the fewest runs of the South African top order – Jacques Rudolph, making his debut on the big stage at the age of 20. He looked poised and confident from the time he stepped out there, and knocked up 21 off 38 balls. He hit some lovely boundaries, particularly off the spinners, against whom he looked more at ease than any young South African has a right to be. His footwork was nimble, his timing was immaculate, his future is assured. With Jacques and Jacques at Nos. 3 and 4, the South African batting seems even more formidable than before. Bye bye, Boeta.

Rudolph looked all set to play a big innings, as none of the bowlers troubled him, but he was run out because of a bad call from Kirsten. He was as short of the crease as a Srinath special, and umpire Dave Orchard saw no reason to call for a replay. As Rudolph passed him, he turned, sullenly, and appeared to enquire why the decision had not been referred to the third umpire. Dissent, by the letter of the law, but what can the match referee do? Ban him from the next unofficial Test?

Amit Varma is assistant editor of Wisden.com in India.

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