The Day 4 of the third and final Test in Johannesburg was perfectly set up for team India. South Africa were seen struggling on the previous day at 17/1 on a pitch that was seeming and bouncing awkwardly, making life difficult for the batsmen. The umpires had ended the day’s play prematurely amidst the talks of the pitch being dangerous.
But the play resumed next day and the Indians were charged up, sensing their first victory on the tour. After losing the first 2 Tests narrowly, their pride was at stake. They were in with a chance in both the previous Tests but missed out at the end. But they didn’t want to miss that opportunity in Johannesburg.
The expectations were that the overnight batsmen Dean Elgar and Hashim Amla would struggle once again but all of a sudden, the zip of the surface seemed to have gone for a walk. The duo looked comfortable and survived the first session without going down as the score reached 69/1 in the pursuit of 241.
The 100-run partnership was brought up post lunch and the threat of a 3-0 whitewash was looming large on the Indians. At 124/1, with both batsmen past their half-centuries, the odds were heavily in favor of the hosts. With 117 runs required having 9 wickets in hand, South Africa seemed like cruising towards the victory.
But then arrived the moment that turned it around for India as Amla was caught brilliantly by Hardik Pandya off the bowling of Ishant Sharma. His dismissal seemed to have awakened the daemons in the pitch as the behavior of the previous day had well and truly returned.
AB de Villiers received a jaffa from Jasprit Bumrah, dismissing him for just 6 that instilled the confidence in the visitors. It was the beginning of the end for the Proteas as they lost wickets in a bundle. Mohammed Shami, the bowler who blows hot and cold from time to time, rose to his hottest just at the apt time.
He sent back the batsmen one after the other and while Dean Elgar was holding the fort at one end, the pacer knocked over the remaining line-up from the other end. Ultimately, the hosts fell short by 63 runs and gave India a victory to remember. Even though the result of the series shows 2-1 in the favor of South Africa, the actual contest was fierce.
The Indian team was ecstatic after the historic win as they continued their unbeaten run in Johannesburg. The celebrations by Virat Kohli and Co. showed how much the victory meant to them. If only the batsmen had put their hand up in the earlier games, this team was capable of winning the series.
Here’s how Twitter reacted to the epic win in Johannesburg
Congratulations India. This is really special .One of our finest ever overseas victory. Enjoy the moment. I am sure this will happen more often now
— Virender Sehwag (@virendersehwag) January 27, 2018
Wow wow wow ! India India .
— Virender Sehwag (@virendersehwag) January 27, 2018
Really proud of this Indian team. This is a great test win. All 4 pace bowlers were superb and Kohli led from the front. Excellent contributions from Bhuvi and Rahane. One to cherish for a long time.
— VVS Laxman (@VVSLaxman281) January 27, 2018
Really proud of this Indian team. This is a great test win. All 4 pace bowlers were superb and Kohli led from the front. Excellent contributions from Bhuvi and Rahane. One to cherish for a long time.
— VVS Laxman (@VVSLaxman281) January 27, 2018
Well done Indian team on winning Jo’burg Test. Showed solid character n persistence on a tough pitch, deserve all the accolades. Hope the critics who came out blazing after two losses will be eating their words for dinner tonight!!! @BCCI
— Gautam Gambhir (@GautamGambhir) January 27, 2018
Congratulations Team india 🇮🇳 what a win @BCCI #INDvSA test series
— Harbhajan Turbanator (@harbhajan_singh) January 27, 2018
Well done India! Well fought @imVkohli! Deserved victory! Great test and series! Credit to all players! @deanelgar … what can I say? Heart, determination, courage! Take a bow! A lesson to youngsters and parents who think only extreme talent gets u to the top…
— Mark Boucher (@markb46) January 27, 2018
2-1 does convey the entire result. To come back and win a game when you are down and out, specially on this pitch is a tremendous task by #TeamIndia. Congratulations on a great win, boys. 🔝 bowling #SAvIND pic.twitter.com/mVoosL0Hng
— Suresh Raina🇮🇳 (@ImRaina) January 27, 2018
Courage and attitude two words for this team India.Thumping win against SA.Really proud of u boys #INDvSA
— Irfan Pathan (@IrfanPathan) January 27, 2018
As true lovers of the game, let's also take a moment and applaud the grit and determination displayed by Dean Elgar. He waged a lone battle as the Indian pacers were too good for rest of the South African side
— VVS Laxman (@VVSLaxman281) January 27, 2018
Shami on fire! What inspires him in the second innings of matches should be a case study
— Cricketwallah (@cricketwallah) January 27, 2018
Congratulations #teamindia on a fabulous comeback and a great win. It was the intent that was shown by our boys from day one of this test match. People…? Had their own doubts of India choosing to bat first on a wicket which helped seamers. #INDvSA #FreedomSeries
— Pragyan Ojha (@pragyanojha) January 27, 2018
Someone is sitting below the pitch with a regulator which changes the surface every now and then. #INDvSA
— Vikram Sathaye (@vikramsathaye) January 27, 2018
This is only the second time India have dismissed opponents in ALL the innings of a series (3+ Tests).
The only other time this happened was in 1986 in England.#SAvIND #INDvSA— Rajneesh Gupta (@rgcricket) January 27, 2018
One of the finest Indian wins overseas. Will go down with Melbourne, Leeds, Perth…..
— Harsha Bhogle (@bhogleharsha) January 27, 2018
The conditions in Johannesburg were as adverse as possible when compared to that at home. To win on such a surface against the mighty South African team is an extraordinary effort. Well played Team India. #SAvIND
— Shubham Khare (@shubhamkhare71) January 27, 2018
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