India registered a memorable win in the third test match at Johannesburg by 63 runs on the fourth day just finished a few minutes ago. It was a great bowling effort by team India bowlers who showed great discipline. All the fast bowlers made the life tough for South Africa batsmen. In the final session, South Africa lost 7 wickets.
The fourth days play started late due to rain. Dean Elgar and Hashim Amla played the first hour with good intent. Indian bowlers made the life tough for South African batsmen but both the batsmen were playing with a positive way. South Africa went into the lunch break at 69 for 1.
In the second session, both the batsmen continued to play Indian bowlers. Dean Elgar reached his half-century off 153 balls while Hashim Amla also completed his 50 off 134 balls. Ishant Sharma dismissed the well-set Amla for 52 ending 119 runs for the 2nd wicket. Before the tea break, Jasprit Bumrah made an important breakthrough by dismissing AB de Villiers for 6. South Africa went into tea break at 136 for 3.
The final session saw some great bowling from Indian fast bowlers. Mohammad Shami was the pick of bowlers with 5 wickets. Ishant Sharma dismissed South African captain Faf du Plessis. Quinton de Kock, Vernon Philander and the lower order could not contribute much. Dean Elgar remained not out on 86. South Africa was bowled out for 177.
India 187 in 76.4 overs ( Virat Kohli 54, Cheteshwar Pujara 50, Bhuvneshwar Kumar 30, Rabada 3/39) and 247 in 80.1 overs ( Rahane 48, Virat Kohli 41, Bhuvneshwar Kumar 33, Mohammad Shami 27, Morne Morkel 3/47, K Rabada 3/69, Vernon Philander 3/61 ) beat
South Africa 194 in 65.5 overs ( Hashim Amla 61, Philander 35, Rabada 30, Jasprit Bumrah 5/54 Bhuvneshwar Kumar 3/44) and 177 in 73.3 overs ( Dean Elgar 86 *, Hashim Amla 52, Mohammad Shami 5/28) by 63 runs.
Captain Virat Kohli said: It was a great effort by our team. We showed great character over the last four days. Elgar and Amla played well. The bowlers were the positives. 60 wickets in the series and if the batsmen step up, we can play well in overseas conditions.
Man of the match Bhuvneshwar Kumar said: It was not an easy wicket but I wanted to stay as long as possible and luckily runs came too. Whenever I get my chance, I try my best and it came at the good moment.
Man of the series Vernon Philander said: Could not able to win this test match. I was happy my performances in this series. India played much better. It was a great effort by the Indian team.
Captain Faf du Plessis said: India outplayed South Africa in this test match. We did not take our chances. Hashim Amla and Dean Elgar partnershiwereas great. Happy to win the series and winning the series 2-1 was a brilliant effort. Lots of ODI cricket against the Indian team, then Australia test series.
South Africa won the test series by 2-1. The 6 match ODI series will start from 1st February.
