India wrapped South Africa for just 191 on the final day of the Test match to go 1-0 up in the series.
South Africa, chasing a total close to 400, would have expected the top-order to get some runs on the board but unfortunately, the team started losing wickets, first to Jadeja who grabbed four wickets and then to Shami’s fifer.
Shami, as usual, was able to stun the opponent with his line and length and one might wonder what goes on his mind whenever he gets to bowl in the second innings.
Shami bowled four of the South African batters which again shows how he got better of them with ease. The hint was to maintain the stumps to stumps line, Jadeja did the same too, like always.
For India though, the difficulty in removing the tail-enders and lower order batters continued as Muthusamy and Piedt showed some resistance and frustrated the hosts who had South Africa 70-8.
Muthusamy who showed composure in the first innings as well with his unbeaten 33, stood unbeaten in the second innings as well with 49. However, he ran out of the partners that gave India the game.
Talking about India’s performance, this Test will be remembered for a long time, thanks to Rohit Sharma’s incarnation. Opening the batting for the first time in the Tests, Rohit Sharma battled against all the odds and scored two brilliant centuries in two innings. He not only brought the habit of scoring runs to the Tests but also breaking quite a few records.
Rohit was well supported by Mayank Agarwal in the first innings (or vice versa). The pair added 317 runs for the opening wicket in the first innings.
The most beautiful part of the partnership was how they made scoring runs look easy and also how they complemented each other for the long run.
Scoring 502, India declared the innings and South Africa was straight away under pressure after losing Aiden Markram. The team was stunned by Ashwin’s brilliance who ran through the batting line-up for his seven wickets. Dean Elgar and Quinton de Kock scored ton each to keep the South Africans in the hunt, but that wasn’t enough.
Rohit then took off from where he left and he had other players who complimented him to take the score to 323. His partnership with Pujara who scored 81, steadied the ship.
The partnership had super animated moments with edges flying between the fielders, unlucky Rabada moments and most importantly, Bhaag Puji Ben Stokes…
Kohli who prefers results did the right thing in putting South Africa back to batting on the final session of the day four.
As Kohli wanted, the bowlers rattled the visitors to take India 1-0 up in the series. This win means that India stays at the top of the World Championships table.
