India made a brilliant comeback to beat South Africa by 63 runs in the third and final Test at Johannesburg on Saturday. India’s fast bowlers brought the third and final Sunfoil Test to rapid ending picking up the last nine South African wickets for just 53 runs in 17 overs. Shami was the pick of the bowlers with figures of 5/28.
Chasing 241, South Africa were placed comfortably at 124 for the loss of two wickets at one stage. However, the Proteas team proved the tag of being the “Chokers” right yet again and collapsed for a total of 177 runs. South Africa lost their last eight wickets for 53 runs and India maintained its unbeaten run at Johannesburg. Read: Is Indian cricket the next choker of world cricket after South Africa?
A 119-run partnership for the second wicket between Elgar and Hashim Amla raised concerns for the visiting side. The pair batted through the first session. The partnership was eventually broken by Ishant Sharma when Amla got caught at midwicket by Hardik Pandya for 52. The start of which had been delayed by an hour due to a wet outfield caused by early morning rain.
India rode on the momentum and dismissed De Villiers cheaply on 5 runs. Faf Du Plessis and Quinton De Kock didn’t find their way in the innings, as they were dismissed cheaply. Vernon Philander chipped in with 10 runs. Andile Phehlukwayo, Morne Morkel and Kagiso Rabada didn’t trouble the scorers. Lungi Ngidi was the last man to be dismissed, who nicked it back to the substitute wicket-keeper Dinesh Karthik, to give India a consolation win.
Hard fought series and what a way to end it. Victory at the Wanderers! #TeamIndia #SAvIND pic.twitter.com/i3oJchKmNe
— BCCI (@BCCI) January 27, 2018
Indian team was under pressure to deliver after losing the first two Tests following a stellar home run last year. South Africa won the series 2-1 but India ended it on a high. The pitch remained a talking point throughout for the dangerous bounce it offered to pacers and forced eary stumps on day three.
Bhuvneshwar Kumar was adjudged the man of the match for his effort with ball as well with the bat. It was a dream comeback for the bowler, who was dropped for the second Test despite taking six wickets in the first Test at Newlands. Bhuvi played a solid knock of 30 and 33 in two innings, at a very difficult wicket. Bhuvi also picked four important wickets.
