Top 5 Test matches of 2018

#4 South Africa versus India, Johannesburg, 24th-27th January

The Jo'Burg pitch tested all batsmen severely

The third and final Test of the series between South Africa and India became famous for the treacherous track that it was played on. The Jo’Burg pitch had turned venomous by the end of the third day and umpires held the play to decide whether to continue or not. The fourth day threw up great drama that captured cricket fans all over the world.

South African pacers troubled India in the first innings. With half-centuries from Pujara and Kohli, the visitors somehow scrambled to 187. Jasprit Bumrah returned the favour and reduced the home side to 194 all out with a spell of 5/54. India began the third innings on the pitch which had started to unleash its inner devil.

Virat Kohli and Ajinkya Rahane stood resolutely on the venomous track copping up with the blows. Late contributions from Bhuvneshwar and Shami set South Africa a target of 241 runs. Opener Dean Elgar was severely tested by misbehaving deliveries but he kept fighting.

The pitch petered out on the fourth day and South Africa sped to the score of 124/1. Ishant Sharma opened the door slightly for India by removing Hashim Amla. Bumrah eliminated the threat of AB De Villiers and Shami jumped in to spark the downfall. South Africa was bundled out for 177 runs as India surged to a famous win.

Brief scores:

India 187 (Kohli 54, Pujara 50, Rabada 3-39) and 247 (Rahane 48, Kohli 41, Bhuvneshwar 33) beat South Africa 194 (Amla 61, Philander 35, Bumrah 5-54, Bhuvneshwar 3-44) and 177 (Elgar 86*, Amla 52, Shami 5-28) by 63 runs.