Team India on Friday (January 14) suffered a seven-wicket defeat in the third Test against South Africa at Newlands, Cape Town.
With this loss, the visitors also conceded the three-match Test series 2-1 despite taking a 1-0 lead after winning the opening game in Centurion.
Just like the second Test, India’s batting line-up failed to rise to the occasion in the series decider. The tourists managed 223 and 198 across the two innings. While skipper Virat Kohli top scored in the first innings with 79, wicketkeeper batter Rishabh Pant waged a lone battle in the second essay with 100 not out.
On the other hand, the Indian bowling attack led by Jasprit Bumrah (5-42) secured a slender 13-run lead by bundling out the Proteas for 210 in the first dig but they couldn’t do the job in the last innings.
Chasing 212 in the fourth innings, the hosts rode on Keegan Petersen’s 82 and contributions from Rassie van der Dussen (41*) and Temba Bavuma (32*) to get over the line comfortably.
After the series defeat, India’s underperforming players drew flak from the cricket fraternity and experts called for changes in the team.
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