Virat Kohli-led India decimated South Africa by 63 runs to win the third Test at the Wanderers in Johannesburg on an eventful day that saw some brilliant batting followed by the fielding side stamping their authority all over.
Mohammed Shami picked a dream 5/28 to end the hopes of South Africa, who faltered from 124/1 to 177 runs all out on Day Four. The hosts were in pursuit of 241 runs to win the Test match and inflict a whitewash on India in the three-match series. But the tourists had other plans in store.
The Proteas sealed the series 2-1 but not before India staging a spectacular fightback where the bowlers helped pick 60 wickets across three Tests, out of which the pacers had 53.
Dressing room all smiles after a fighting victory at The Wanderers. How about framing that one! #TeamIndia #SAvIND pic.twitter.com/7VdGh4JCIh
— BCCI (@BCCI) January 27, 2018
For the Proteas Dean Elgar played with grit and determination, carrying his bat through the entire innings. The southpaw scored a brilliant 86* and shared a 119-run stand with Hashim Amla before India made inroads. Amla, on the other hand, scored his second fifty in the Test match before he was dismissed by Ishant Sharma.
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Play resumed on Day Four after the pitch was deemed to be dangerous by the umpires late on Day Three. It got so bad that the players had to leave the field for fear of the batsmen’s safety. But credit to India for handling the conditions in a better manner and being the better side to make a comeback.
STAT ATTACK:
- It was India’s 3rd Test victory on South African soil.
- Indian pacers accounted for 53 wickets in the series.
- Hashim Amla (54) scored his 38th Test half-century.
- India maintain their unbeaten record in Johannesburg.
| VENUE | Matches | India (wins) | South Africa (wins) |
| South Africa | 20 | 3 | 10 |
| India | 16 | 8 | 5 |
| Overall | 36 | 11 | 15 |
Elgar and Amla had resumed on 17/1 at the start of the day following the controversial end to day three. The duo were simply magnificent, defending with all they had as the wicket, with its grass and cracks, continued to make batting a nightmare. Credit should be given to Elgar for battling it out after being hit on the grill of his helmet on the third day.
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The pair batted sensibly and with responsibility to hold on till lunch and not lose any strides. The duo were beaten on many occasions but they resisted and played superbly until tea. The 119-run stand witnessed some flurry of shots as the pair stood tall for at least around four hours.
Dean Elgar: Runs: 86*, Balls: 240, 4/6: 9/1, S/R: 35.83
Hashim Amla: Runs 52, BallsL 140, 4/6: 5/0, S/R: 37.14
Amla fell for 52 caught at short mid-wicket around 20 minutes before tea, as AB de Villiers followed suit. Skipper Faf du Plessis (2) was also ineffective, Ishant Sharma same his ball generate seam movement to leave Du Plessis with no answer as he was clean bowled. The hosts needed Quinton de Kock to find some form,and support Elgar, but it was not to be as he was out first ball to Bumrah when he was trapped plumb in front.
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Shami then got Vernon Philander and Andile Phehlukwayo in the same over to rattle the Proteas. But on the other side Elgar was standing firm, but in the end he ran out of partners. Kagiso Rabada could not repeat his first innings heroics to be caught by Cheteshwar Pujara in the slips off Bhuvenshwar Kumar for 0, South Africa’s last hopes went with him.
| Overs | Maiden | Runs | Wickets | |
| M Shami | 12.3 | 2 | 28 | 5 |
| Jasprit Bumrah | 21 | 3 | 57 | 2 |
| I Sharma | 16 | 3 | 31 | 2 |
Morne Morkel and Lungi Ngidi were the last two victims of Shami as India had a special victory.
” We required some character [laying on a pitch that was very difficult to play on, but our guys showed great guts and determination through the four days,” India captain Virat Kohli said at the post-match presentation. Meanwhile, his counterpart Du Plessis felt India outplayed them.
“India outplayed us in this test, we didn’t take our chances and were sloppy. We weren’t as consistent as in the first two tests,” said the Proteas skipper.
