After falling short of South Africa’s first innings’ total by 77 runs, India needed their bowlers to step up and step as high as possible.
When rain washed out third day’s play, the hopes increased a bit as the covered-up pitch was supposed to offer some assistance but even for that the bowlers needed to bowl their heart out. And oh boy, how brilliantly they did it!
Indian pacers—Mohammed Shami, Bhuvneshwar Kumar and Jasprit Bumrah—picked up 8 wickets in just 21.2 overs of the first session as South Africa were bowled out for 130 runs to set India a target of 208 runs to claim the first Test in Cape Town. Not to forget Hardik Pandya had sent back both the openers at the closing stage of second day’s play.
Mohammed Shami started brilliantly by dismissing Hashim Amla and night watchman Kagiso Rabada. Jasprit Bumrah then dismissed Faf du Plessis, for nought, and Quinton de Kock in his successive overs before Shami struck again to send back Vernon Philander.
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It was then the turn of Bhuvneshwar Kumar to join the party. He first dismissed Keshav Maharaj for 15 before giving Morne Morkel a taste of his own medicine. The lanky pacer was dismissed off the short ball for just 2.
‘Injured’ Dale Steyn then came out to bat for his team and it was AB de Villiers, who was entrusted with the responsibility of taking South Africa as high as possible. But Mr 360 holed one straight to deep mid wicket, where Bhuvi, completed a good catch off the bowling of Jasprit Bumrah.