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The Cape Town pitch for the series decider has not been an ideal batting surface for the batters. India were bowled out for 223 and 198 in first and second innings respectively with only batter making a major impact in each innings. As India got all out in 67.3 overs, a rarest of rare record was created. In both innings, all the Indian batsmen got caught out whether it was behind the stumps, inside the 30-yard circle or in the outfield. This is the first time in over 144 years of Test cricket history where all 20 dismissals of a team were via catches taken in the field.
None of the Indian batters got bowled. There could have been a wicket lost by leg before wicket in the second innings during third session of Day 2 but Mayank Agarwal reviewed it and the ball-tracking showed that the ball would have gone on to miss the stumps.
Series record too
Also, in the three-Test series, 55 out of 60 Indian wickets fell via catches which is another world record in the format. This is the highest number of wickets in a three-Test series via a single mode of dismissal. There have been very few chances of lbws on the bouncy South African wickets.
Spectacular catches
This rare feat by South African bowlers was achieved by forcing outside edges of Indian batters. The South African speedsters forced Indian batters to drive or surprised them with short deliveries which took top edges. There were a few spectacular catches as well. Keshav Maharaj took one on follow-through on Day 1 to dismiss Shardul Thakur. Another blinder was taken by young Proteas batter Keegan Petersen in the first session of Day 3. Petersen dived to his right at leg slip position to dismiss Cheteshwar Pujara early off Marco Jansen’s bowling.
Chance at another historic feat
On the other hand, India will be eyeing another historic feat as they look to register their first ever Test series win on South African soil after setting a 212-run target with the help of wicketkeeper-batter Rishabh Pant’s record-breaking century.
