In a pitched battle, bowlers give India dramatic victory
ENDING ON HIGH Led by Shami’s fivewicket haul, India bowlers dash SA hopes of series whitewash
hundred runs or more.
It was a partnership that had the potential to deny India their third win in South Africa. Amla was graceful in attack and defence even though India’s seamers gave him a hard time, even knocking him on his fingers. But Elgar was South Africa’s main hope. To stay alive on this surface, South Africa needed someone to stand strong like Murali Vijay had done in the second innings. Through 73.3 overs, Elgar did just that.
He fronted up to a brutal onslaught of bouncers and length bowling from India, especially Bumrah, but there were times he looked aggressive as well. The pitch was holding up well too after overnight rain pushed back the start by an hour.
But the problem with such a pitch is that the new batsman won’t have as much time to assess it. Even a batsman of the calibre of AB de Villiers had to knuckle down. He couldn’t, giving Ajinkya Rahane catch practice at gully. Faf du Plessis did it at Centurion but this time Ishant got the better of him with an off-cutter. That was the most crucial wicket. V Philander b Shami A Phehlukwayo b Shami
K Rabada v Pujara b Bhuvi M Morkel b Shami L Ngidi c (sub) b Shami Extras (b 7, w 6) Total (all out; in 73.3overs) FOW: 1-5, 2-124, 3-131, 4-144, 5-145, 6-157, 7-157, 8-160, 9-161
Bowling: B Kumar 18-4-39-1, M Shami 12.3-2-28-5, J Bumrah 21-3-57-2, I Sharma 16-3-31-2, H Pandya 6-1-15-0 10 0 0 0 4