A dream debut for Lungisani Ngidi helped South Africa beat India by 135 runs in the Centurion Test to take an unassailable 2-0 lead in the three match series and ended India’s dream of a series win in the Rainbow nation for the first time in history.
Riding on 9 successive Test series win, India looked in a great chance to replicate their home form on overseas tour as well but Ngidi had some different plans. He ran through Indian batting order– Kohli, Rahul, Hardik Pandya, Ashwin, Shami and Bumrah to inflict first Test series loss in 3 years for India.
Chasing a target of 287 runs after bundling out the hosts for 258, none of the Indian batsman, except Rohit Sharma, could do much and they were bowled out for 151.
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Opting to bat first, South Africa rode on half centuries from Aiden Markram (94), Hashim Amla (82) and Faf du Plessis (63) to post 335 in the first innings. India had Ashwin and Ishant Sharma to thank as they ‘reduced’ Proteas after a solid start.
In reply, Virat Kohli scored 153 runs as India posted 307. However the innings was highlighted by Hardik Pandya’s run out. Had it not been for a fighting knock from Ravichandran Ashwin, the visitors would have conceded a lead greater than 28 runs. Morne Morkel starred with 4 wickets.
The second innings started brightly for India as Jasprit Bumrah reduced SA to 3/2 but AB de Villiers and Dean Elgar took the match away from India by adding 141 runs for the third wicket. ABD fell for 80, Elgar scored 61 while Faf du Plessis scored 48 as India were set 287 to win. Mohammed Shami picked up 4 wickets and Bumrah finished with 3.
Chasing 287 to win the Test and keep themselves alive in their pursuit of a first series win in the country in 25 years, Murali Vijay, Lokesh Rahul and Virat Kohli left the support early. Pujara and Parthiv started the chase on the final day but it was just a matter of time before the inevitable happened. Rohit kept Ngidi and company at bay with his 47 but he didn’t last long either.
Turning Point
Dean Elgar and AB de Villiers’ partnership in the second innings proved to be the game changer. The two batted out India from the contest before their bowlers completed the formality. Some might even argue that Pandya’s run out in the first innings was a turning point but it would be too harsh for the all rounder who is already under too much of criticism.
Pandya’s run out
It was a special phase in the game, something that could have given India an edge. While Kohli and Pandya were doing very well to see off the swing and shine, a school boy error from Hardik—he neither dragged his bat nor legs—costed him his wicket as a direct hit found him above the line but not past it. It irked many legends.
Pujara’s misery
Cheteshwar Pujara became the first Indian batsmen to be run out in both the innings of a Test match. It was sheer bad luck and a bit too much that got him out in both the innings on a pitch he would have loved to bat on.
Dream debut for Lungisani Ngidi
Lungisani Ngidi became another South African to take a fifer on debut as the 21-year-old picked up 6 wickets in the second innings. He had picked up 1 wicket in first innings.