India avoid whitewash

India clinched a pride-saving win in the third test against South Africa in Johannesburg yesterday, a victory on a poor and unpredictable pitch that nearly caused the game to be called off, but ultimately gave Virat Kohli’s top-ranked team something to take from a tour of discontent.

India’s pace bowlers left a trail of destruction behind them late on the fourth day at the Wanderers as South Africa’s batsmen were subdued quickly after showing signs of resistance, most notably with Dean Elgar’s innings of 86 not out.

Chasing a target of 241, South Africa were bowled out for 177.

Mohammed Shami delivered the final blows for India, collecting five for 28 as the South Africans went from 124 for one and in with a chance to all out and finished just 53 runs and 21 overs later. Jasprit Bumrah and Ishant Sharma took two wickets each.

India’s win by 63 runs, in conditions at the extreme opposite of what they prefer, avoided an embarrassing 3-0 series whitewash for the No. 1 team in the world. In the end India still lost the series 2-1.

“It’s really, really sweet to win this game. Massive. This could be a massive milestone for us,” Kohli said.

Shehan Madushanka claimed a hat-trick on his international debut as Sri Lanka beat Bangladesh by 79 runs to win the ODI tri-nations series final in Dhaka.