Dean Elgar-led South Africa quashed India’s dream to win a Test series on South African soil with a convincing seven-wicket victory at Newlands, Cape Town. This is India’s seventh Test series defeat on South African soil.
Chasing a tricky target of 212, South Africa achieved the target on the back of in-form batter Keegan Petersen who scored an 82-run knock in the run chase. Rassie van der Dussen and Temba Bavuma’s unbeaten 57-run partnership for the fourth wicket did not let India make a comeback and get wickets in clusters. Bavuma finished the Test in style with a boundary off Ravichandran Ashwin. The former Proteas Test skipper remained unbeaten for 32 off 58 deliveries including five fours. On the other end, Dussen remained unbeaten for 41 off 95 deliveries including three boundaries.
Starting the day at 101/2, South Africa batters showed resilience as Indian bowlers were able to take only one wicket. Shardul Thakur got the breakthrough when he got the wicket of well-set Petersen. The 28-year-old dragged the ball on to his wickets and missed a chance to get to a much-deserved century. Earlier in the first session, Cheteshwar Pujara dropped Petersen’s catch in the slip cordon preventing India from getting an early breakthrough. Petersen was batting on 59 at that time.
Earlier in a controversial last session on Day 3, South Africa laid a solid foundation for the run chase. Aiden Markram contributed with a quickfire knock before Mohammed Shami got rid of him once again. Elgar survived dangerously in the middle amidst DRS controversy followed by Indian fielders accusing broadcaster ‘SuperSport’ of favouring the home team.
Kohli's defending record spoiled
This is the first time Virat Kohli has conceded defeat as captain while defending 150 or more runs. Before the Cape Town defeat, under Kohli's captaincy India had defended scores in excess of 150 successfully 25 out of 27 times. This is South Africa's second-highest successful run chase at the venue. Also, this is the first time India have lost a Test when Jasprit Bumrah bagged a five-wicket haul.
