Cape Town: When Vernon Philander had expressed his doubts over India’s preparation for the Test series, many had thought it to be just a jibe at the number one Test team before a high octane series. But on Monday, the right-arm pacer justified his statements as he led from the front to hand South Africa a 72-run win in the first Test in Cape Town.
With the third day’s play being abandoned without a ball being bowled, the fourth day was always going to be a crucial one given the fact that the match was hanging in the balance. But none would have thought that the game would be wrapped up on the fourth day itself as South Africa thus gains a 1-0 lead in the series.
Philander registered his best bowling figures in Test cricket (6/42) as the Indian batsmen failed to chase down 208 runs for a win after they had dismissed the hosts for a paltry 130 in the second innings.
The Indian batsmen failed to apply themselves once again in the second innings. With someone like a Dale Steyn not in the opposition squad, many sides would fancy their chances but Philander showed why he is such a big threat with the cherry in hand.
Openers Murali Vijay and Shikhar Dhawan took India off to a steady start with a 30-run stand and it looked as if the visitors were finally in the driver’s seat after a wonderful performance with the ball.
But Dhawan, once again succumbed to the short ball and this time it was the lanky Morne Morkel who had him caught by substitute fielder Chris Morris. Six balls later, his opening partner Vijay fell to Philander and well, the downslide had already begun for the visitors once again.
Cheteshwar Pujara became Morkel’s second victim in the match as he faced an unplayable delivery from the right-arm pacer that had him nick the ball to wicket-keeper Quinton De Kock. Skipper Virat Kohli, who was dismissed for just five in the first innings showed some intent and attacked the bowlers, hitting four fours in his 40-ball 28-run knock before being trapped plumb in front by Philander. His wicket led the Proteas to believe that they were well and truly in the game.
Rohit Sharma, who was picked ahead of Ajinkya Rahane once again couldn’t justify his selection as his middle stump was taken for a ride by Philander who simply toyed with the Indian batting. In came Hardik Pandya who was India’s star with the willow in the first innings but Kagiso Rabada once again had the last laugh when he had him caught by De Villiers. The youngster also dismissed Wriddhiman Saha off the last ball before tea as South Africa sniffed a memorable win.
But the inevitable was denied by Ravichandran Ashwin who played a gritty 37-run knock which kept India in the hunt. But the rampaging Philander didn’t let him spoil the party as he sent him back with the score at 131/8 before he dismissed both Mohammad Shami and Jasprit Bumrah to bowl out India for just 135 runs.
Earlier, Wriddhiman Saha grabbed the centre stage as he took a total of 10 catches as the Indian pacers ruled the roost initially on the fourth day. Saha’s 10 catches outdid former skipper MS Dhoni’s efforts of nine catches as the Bengal lad now owns the record of the most number of catches in a Test innings by an Indian.
Shami (3/28) and Bumrah (3/39) were the best bowlers for the visitors. Pandya (2/27) and Bhuvneshwar Kumar (2/33) also found success as this was the first time all four Indian pacers have taken atleast a wicket in both the innings of a Test match.
Brief scores-
India 209 all out and 135 all out (Ravichandran Ashwin 37, Virat Kohli 28; Vernon Philander 6/42) lost to South Africa 286 all out and 130 all out (AB De Villiers 35, Dean Elgar 25; Mohammad Shami 3/28) by 72 runs