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After losing the series 2-0, the Virat Kohli-led Indian team came back in the best possible manner and beat South Africa by 63 runs in the third and final Test at the Wanderers in Johannesburg.
After choosing to bat first, India managed to score 187 runs in their first innings on a seaming track and the hosts replied with 194 runs in their first essay, which gave them a lead of seven runs. The World number one Test side showed why they are at the top of the rankings as they showed a lot of grit and determination and played out of their skin to post a total of 247 and set the Proteas a target of 241 to win.
Mohammed Shami sent back Aiden Markram late on day three before the play ended in a controversial manner. When the play started on day four, opener Dean Elgar and Hashim Amla held the fort and frustrated the Indian bowlers by batting through the first session.
Both of them reached their individual fifties before Amla was dismissed for 52, thanks to a brilliant catch by Hardik Pandya. Soon after, AB de Villiers was sent back to the pavilion by Jasprit Bumrah and that got India back in the game. Faf du Plessis and Quinton de Kock followed them and that almost sealed the match in favour of India.
Shami came back and wrapped up the tail in no time and consolidated India's unbeaten record at Johannesburg. Bhuvneshwar Kumar was named the Man of the Match while Vernon Philander was adjudged the player of the Series.
Let us take a look at how the cricket world reacted after India's historic win.
Indian captain Virat Kohli: We required some character on a pitch that was very difficult but our guys showed great guts. Batting first didn't go down well with a lot of people. Hats off to the team for showing character after the series was gone. It's a funny game. You think of many ways to get a batsmen out. Amla and Elgar played well. In pressure situations, when wickets go down in Test cricket, it's very difficult to come back. The bowlers were the biggest positive; we haven't done 60 wickets in the past. We want to correct certain mistakes. That lower-order showed character. This win feels great. As batsmen, if we can think about countering conditions better, we can do away from home.
Bhuvneshwar Kumar, Player of the Match: I'm happy. Whenever I get a chance, I try to do well. It came off at the right moment. I enjoy batting when it comes to Tests. I tried to stay for as much as possible and runs came. Amazing track to bowl on. Few awkward balls but overall it was a good wicket.
Vernon Philander, Player of the Series: I think you have to step up at crucial times (with the bat). Would have been a nice one to win my 50th Test. Probably will take a week's break and prepare for a tough series coming up against Australia.
South African captain Faf du Plessis: I think India outplayed us in this Test. We didn't take our chances. We were just sloppy. From bowling point of view, we weren't consistent as the previous Tests. From a fielding point of view, we were just average compared to Centurion. India were the better team. It was a surprise how the surface played this morning. Once we got through that, Elgar and Hashim (had a) great partnership together. But the wicket tells you that the bowlers tend to do a bit more. We were disappointed to lose the series. If you asked me 2-1 before the series, I'd have taken it hands down. India is a fantastic side. We played very good cricket throughout the series and are the deserved series winners and I am very proud of my team. There's a lot of limited-overs cricket against a very good Indian side and then we have the Australia series
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