South Africa defeated Team India by 7 wickets in the third Test match in Cape Town, thereby clinching the three-match Test series 2-1. India could only muster up a score of 223 runs in the first inning, having won the toss. Skipper Virat Kohli was the lone warrior with 79 run knock in 201 balls, however, the hosts scored 210 runs in reply.
Having a slender lead of 13 runs, the Men in Blue faltered once again in their second inning, barring Rishabh Pant's century, none of the Indian batters made an impact as they stumbled to a total of 198, giving South Africa a target of 212 to chase, which they did successfully.
Keegan Petersen scored a brilliant 82 run knock in 113 balls and was ably supported by Rassie van der Dussen (41 off 95). Temba Bavuma also kept his good run in the series going with a score of 32 off 58 balls.
The hosts marked a comeback win in the series, while Team India had won the first Test in Centurion by 113 runs, South Africa conquered Johannesburg by 7 wickets, and once again, they defeated the visitors by 7 wickets in Cape Town to take the series 2-1.
Barring Rishabh Pant's century, Virat Kohli's 29 runs off 143 balls was the next best score by an Indian batsman in the second innings. Eight Indian batters recorded single-digit figures. This, in itself, speaks volumes about team India's struggles in the rainbow nation.
Marco Jansen picked up four wickets in the second inning, while Kagiso Rabada and Lungi Ngidi kept also delivered three scalps each to fulfil their quota.
The South African pacers, as a unit, have done a commendable job to unsettle Indian batsmen, and backed by the solid batting performances of their batsmen, the Proteas' new-look side, which doesn't have the usual world-beaters in its lineup, stood heads and shoulders above the Indian team.
