CAPE TOWN: South Africa beat India by seven wickets to win the third Test and secure the series 2-1.
Resuming the day 101 for two, South Africa go the job done in 63.3 overs with major contributions coming from Keegan Petersen (82), Rassie van der Dussen (41 not out) and Temba Bavuma (32 not out).
Petersen was the only one dismissed on the day as he played one on to his stumps off Shardul Thakur.
India had won the opening Test in Centurion by 113 runs before the hosts bounced back in Johannesburg with a seven wicket victory.
The contest was seen as India’s best chance to win their maiden series in South Africa.
Earlier, the hosts were on verge of a famous series win against a strong Indian team, reaching 171 for three in pursuit of 212 at lunch.
Keegan Petersen’s 82 had laid the platform while Rassie Van der Dussen (22 batting) and Temba Bavuma (12 batting) are slowly and surely taking the team towards victory which is just 41 runs away.
The 54-run stand between Petersen, who had 10 boundaries in his innings and Van Der Dussen, who played 72 balls, made it easier for the Proteas.
Cheteshwar Pujara dropping a regulation slip catch offered by Petersen off Jasprit Bumrah’s bowling only added insult to the injuries as the batter was on 59 then and after that got a few boundaries at a fair clip to ease the pressure.
It was a challenge to play the first spell from Jasprit Bumrah and Mohammed Shami which the South Africa duo managed pretty well despite some really good deliveries.
Once they had seen off the first spell, they attacked Umesh Yadav and got a few boundaries through the off-side cordon, prompting Virat Kohli to spread the field which in turn also gave them chance to take singles and doubles.
It was Shardul Thakur, who finally got rid of Petersen, with an innocuous delivery that he dragged back onto the stumps.
The period post Petersen’s dismissal was bit of a lull as Indian bowlers went flat out but to Van den Dussen’s credit, he hung in there and showed some great defensive technique.
However by then, only 57 runs were left and Bavuma played a few rasping drives to leave the Indians gasping for breath.
But the hero of this chase certainly will be Petersen, who has both fine technique and admirable temperament which are ingredients required to succeed in top flight cricket.
