South Africa vs India 2018: 1st Test, day 4, 5 things we learnt

A scintillating bowling performance from both sides made for a closely-fought, classic Test match at the Newlands on day 4. The visitors fought back with eight wickets in the morning session as the Proteas were bowled out for 130. With a target of 208 to win, India were suddenly the favourites to win the Test match.

They started off well in the run chase before the South African seamers struck with an exhilarating spell under the scorching sun. Vernon Philander sliced through the middle-order, getting rid of Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma in the process, and finished with a six-wicket haul that eventually sealed the game for the hosts.

#5 South Africa's middle-order crumbles

Amla fell early in the day to Mohammed Shami

Rain on the third day and a covered pitch meant that India had conditions in their favour and they made the most of it, bowling superb lines and forcing the South African middle-order to make mistakes. Hashim Amla was the first to go, trying to forcefully push one on the off-side, the edge carrying easily to Rohit Sharma at gully.

Faf du Plessis followed soon after as he received a snorter of a ball from Jasprit Bumrah, the ball kicking off the surface and the edge going through to Wriddhiman Saha. Quinton de Kock was next as he appeared clueless to an incoming delivery from Bumrah. Although the umpires did not give him out, Kohli heard enough of the nick to go for a review.

#4 Jasprit Bumrah justifies debut with sizzling spell

Bumrah was spot on with the ball, making it talk from a wide angle

Jasprit Bumrah's biggest advantage is that he is a very quick learner. Having bowled too much at the pads in the first innings, Bumrah learnt his lesson quickly and stuck to an outside off-stump channel all through the morning session on day 4. His wide angle coupled with balls seaming away or straightening meant that he was impossible to put away.

The South Africa skipper, Faf du Plessis, received a snorter of a ball from Bumrah that he edged behind and the Mumbai Indians seamer turned to bowling around the wicket to Quinton de Kock and the move paid off as the edge was found on the drive. He added the scalp of AB de Villiers, the last man out, to finish with 3/39, a spell that should seal his spot for the remainder of the series.

#3 AB de Villiers carries South Africa to competitive 207

de Villiers tried his best to prop up South Africa's lead

One man stood tall amidst the ruins for South Africa - AB de Villiers. He was left stranded though as the middle-order collapsed to Jasprit Bumrah and Mohammed Shami. As badass as de Villiers is, this situation was too tough to handle for him.

He grit it out till Keshav Maharaj departed with the lead close to 200 and then gave it his all with Morne Morkel and Dale Steyn trying to aid him. However, with the field completely spread out and singles not feasible, the only way he could get runs was by clobbering sixes. He did this once but perished attempting a second. His 35, however, gave the Proteas seamers something to bowl at.

#2 India bullish but wither away

India were very vocal while bowling but remained clueless with the bat

Having restricted the Proteas to a meagre total, India were really bullish about their prospects. The determination and commitment were evident on their faces as they came out to bat. They reached 30/0 with Murali Vijay living a charmed life.

However, things soon started to unravel. Morne Morkel got some extra lift to send Shikhar Dhawan back and Vernon Philander finally sent Vijay on his way. When Morkel broke through Pujara's resolve, South Africa knew they were ahead. At 39/3, the visitors had a mountain to climb and looked lost.

#1 Vernon Philander steps up in the absence of Dale Steyn

Vernon Philander has to be the best exponent of seam bowling going around

Vernon Philander skittled India's hopes with a niggardly spell that tested the patience of a solid Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma. Philander was so good with his lines that the Indian batsmen could barely afford to lose even a touch of concentration. With the ball moving about at Newlands, the sensational seamer caught India napping.

He got rid of Kohli with one that tailed in a touch and then sent Rohit on his way courtesy an inside edge that hit the stumps. When India recovered via Ravichandran Ashwin and Bhuvneshwar Kumar, Philander returned to grab three in an over, sealing the game for South Africa.