Picture : Twitter / BCCI
Host South Africa dashed India’s hope of first ever Test series in South Africa as they won seven wickets the third Test and secure the series 2-1 at Cape Town.
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. Having started the tour with a big win in Centurion, India frittered away the advantage to succumb to comprehensive defeats in Johannesburg and Cape Town to lose the three-match series 1-2.
After the loss Indian skipper Virat Virat Kohli laid the blame squarely on his batters following their defeat in the series-deciding 3rd Test against South Africa .
“We have had too many batting collapses,” Kohli said at the post-match presentation. “Of course, it (batting failure) has been the reason, no doubt about that. Their (South Africa) bowlers were just better in terms of their execution and applying pressure. Batting is certainly something to be looked at. No excuses there. It’s really disappointing for sure.”
