India v South Africa 3rd Test Review: Ravi Ashwin seals the series for India

India dominated yet another Test in this series at home. The Test match began just three days back at the Vidarbha Cricket Association and has already reached its conclusion. It was highly anticipated that South Africa will fight back in the Test series when they would come out to play the third Test at Nagpur. India batted first and started out with a positive opening stand by Murali Vijay and Shikhar Dhawan. But soon, Dhawan gave away his wicket to Dean Elgar. His poor run with the bat in the series continued. The pitch began to show its nature and the Indian batsmen began struggling against Harmer and Morkel. No one could stand at the crease for a long period of time.

However, a solid partnership of 48 runs between Ravindra Jadeja and Wriddhiman Saha made India look little steady, but soon Kagiso Rabada found the breakthrough for SA after Jadeja inside edged a full delivery onto the stumps. Saha also followed him to the pavilion soon after India reached its 200 runs mark. Imran Tahir and Harmer finished off the Indian tail as they were bundled out at a score of 215 with 14 overs of play still remaining for the day. India was 85 for 2 at lunch, but SA bounced back in the final two sessions to bowl them quickly.

The pitch had begun to misbehave and a strong show from the Indian spinners was highly anticipated. And, they did not disappoint. The Protea openers came out to bat as they had a tough task of surviving the last 9 over of the final session of day 1. But, Ashwin and Jadeja looked in a hurry. Both spinners began to trouble the openers and in no time Ashwin drew the first blood. Soon, Jadeja also struck to leave SA at a score of 11/2 after the end of day 1.

Skipper Hashim Amla and Elgar were at the crease to start day 2 but looked very scratchy. Soon, Ashwin continuing his fantastic form took the first wicket of the day by dismissing Dean Elgar. Amla also followed him in no time. The South African batsmen got out in quick successions and eventually they were bowled out for a highly substandard score of just 79 runs. JP Duminy led a lone fight with a knock of 35 runs which was backed by some amount of luck. Apart from him, no South African batsman showed any batting skills against the spin duo of Ashwin and Jadeja. Both shared nine wickets among themselves.

India had a hearty lead of 136 runs and the match looked set for yet another three-day finish. The wicket had now become a dustbowl. The ball was turning unpredictably and batsmen played in a very uncertain manner. The game was only in its second day and India had already come out to bat for the second time. Morne Morkel who bowled relentlessly in the first innings also gave India the first blow by dismissing Murali Vijay in the 5^th over.

Dhawan showed some fight for the first time in the series and batted well with Pujara. Both played for a decent 44 runs partnership dominated by Pujara. But, Pujara (31 runs) got clean bowled by part-timer Duminy. Virat Kohli (16), Ajinkya Rahane (9), Rohit Sharma (23) and Saha (7) added a few, but considerable amount of runs to the Indian total. Jadeja (5 runs), who had played an important cameo in the frist innings also disappointed in the second innings. The tail enders also could not sustain very long as India were skittled out for just 173 runs. Imran Tahir (5/38) and Morne Morkel (3/19) did a commendable job to restrict India for a small total.

India may have got all out for just 173 runs in the second innings but with the help of the 136 runs advantage, they had set a commanding target of 311 runs for South Africa to chase. With Ashwin and Jadeja spitting fire, it was just about time before the home team won the game.

South Africa’s start was usual, as they lost the first wicket cheaply. It was the same batsman and the bowler again. Van Zyl (5 runs) has found Ashwin very tough to handle and has got out to him five times in the equal number of innings he has played in the series. Imran Tahir was once again sent as a night watchman but could not do his job after he was trapped LBW by Amit Mishra. South Africa ended day two at the score of 37/2 with Amla and Elgar at the crease.

Day 3, without any doubt looked as the final day of this Test match. South Africa had the names, but they were not performing up to their reputations. The morning began with Ashwin removing Elgar (18 runs) in the third over of the day. AB de Villiers was the next batsman in with a lot of expectations on him to save South Africa. However, de Villiers (9) could not do anything great.

Faf along with Amla showed resistance for some time. Both batted for a long period of time and lighted a dim hope of a batting revival for the visitors. Their partnership of 72 runs was finally broken by the leg-spinner Mishra. Amla departed for a well made 39 runs. Just two overs later, Faf du Plessis (39 runs) also let down his guard and was clean bowled by the leggie.

Also read: Watch: R Ashwin v AB de Villiers contest at its best in Nagpur Test

JP Duminy (19) and Dane Vilas (12) also showed some determination briefly, but both could not do anything significant as defeat was at the doorsteps of South Africa by then. Soon, the Indian bowlers got the remaining wickets and scripted yet another victory on home soil. Ashwin had highly impressive figures of 7/66 and for a change Jadeja had no wicket while Amit Mishra played the supporting role and picked up 3/51.

South Africa’s impressive nine-year record ended. This is the first overseas loss for South Africa in the last 9 years as they were unbeaten since the year 2006. They did not look prepared to face the Indian spin challenge. South Africa and India now head to play the 4th Test at the Feroz Shah Kotla, Delhi. The Proteas will definitely try to regain some pride by putting up a respectable show there. The hosts will look to enhance their home record as well as their Test ranking. India can earn the second spot in the rankings if they beat SA at Delhi.

Brief Scores:

India 1^st innings – 215/10 (M Vijay 40; S Harmer 4/78)

South Africa 1^st innings – 79/10 (JP Duminy 35*; R Ashwin 5/32)

India 2^nd innings – 173/10 (S Dhawan 39; I Tahir 5/38)

South Africa 2^nd innings target 310/10 – (Faf du Plessis 39; R Ashwin 7/66)

Man of the Match: R. Ashwin (India)