And India’s wait of winning a test series in Series in South Africa still continues. This might be the best opportunity for India to win their maiden series in South Africa. But we have to accept that India’s batting has been under par this series. The batting has been the difference between the two teams. Both teams have cut throat pace attack with South Africa a bit new one. There might be some new faces in the Indian Test Paying XI from the next series for sure. Indian middle order is clearly lost the plot for some time now. It is the time for Hanuma Vihari or Shreyas Iyer to get in the middle. We’ll see who won MOM in IND vs SA 3rd Test Match.
Who won MOM in IND vs SA 3rd Test Match?
Keegan Petersan, the find of the South African Test Team, was adjudged as the Man of the Match in India vs South Africa 3rd Test. Keegan Petersan is actually the find of the series for South Africa. In almost every innings, he stabilized the innings of South Africa. In this match, he scored two fifties and the fifty in the second innings was under pressure. He got improving each innings he played. Petersan scored 72 runs in the first innings and scored 82 runs in the second innings. He was not able to get to a hundred in all the innings but his score of eighties or seventies were way important for South Africa.
He was also awarded as the Player of the Series for his outstanding form all along the series. In the 6 innings he played, he scored 276 runs at a brilliant average of 47. His highest score is of 82 runs. Though, he was not able to get to a three figure mark but he was able to score runs during pressure situations.
First Innings
India opted to bat first in the 3rd Test between India and South Africa. There were overhead conditions on the first day and the batting was very difficult on the first day. And South African bowlers capitalize on that. Indian openers failed to get a good start and both dismissed early in the play. Ajinkya Rahane failed once again and this is frustrating to see experienced batters like these. Virat Kohli batted very solidly throughout the innings. Kohli batted with determination, leaving those balls outside off stump. Virat scored 79 runs after playing more than 200+ balls. But in the end, he was left out of partners and his wait for that three figure score still continues. Kagiso Rabada was the pick of the bowlers with 4 wickets. South Africa restricted India to just 223 runs.
After restricting India to a below par total, South Africa expecting to a good start. But they can’t. The lost both the openers in single digit score. Keegan Petersan played a brilliant innings of 72 runs. But his resistance was ended by Jasprit Bumrah. But none of the other South African batters were able to to score enough runs. Jasprit Bumrah got a fifer in the first innings. He was just brilliant with the ball. Keegan Petersan batted very beautifully in the first innings of the match. South Africa were bundled out for 210 runs and India got a lead of 13 runs. It was just exceptional by Indian bowlers to take a lead from such a small score. India could take a little more lead if they bowled well in those last overs where South Africa tail enders got runs.
Second Innings
The match is well poised after the first innings. India have a lead of 13 runs. But it is such a small number which hardly matters. Once again, Indian openers failed to get a good start to their team. And the duo of Pujara and Rahane, as usual, got out in the single digit score. It is now time for India to look beyond them. India have given then enough chances. India were struggling at that time with Virat Kohli on the other end. But Rishabh Pant played a gem of an innings. He played a counter attacking innings of 100 runs. This hundred is even considered as one of the best in his career so far.
Virat Kohli scored 29 runs in this innings. But he has played 143 balls in this innings. He looked so solid in this match and played a defensive game. Other than Pant, there was no contribution from any other batter. Marco Jansen and Kagiso Rabada led the bowling lineup with 4 and 3 wickets respectively. India got bowled out for just 198 runs.
South Africa have a target of 212 runs to chase in the final innings with so much time remaining in this match. Aiden Markaram’s poor run in this series continues and he got out once again to Shami. But Keegan Petersan stabilized the innings after Markaram got out. And the way Petersan played is just exceptional. He always came at a time when South Africa were in pressure situation as the openers were not performing for South Africa. Elgar got out after scoring 30 runs. Keegan Petersan slammed another fifty in this series. The maturity he showed in this series as a youngster is just outstanding. He got out after scoring 82 runs but till that time, the job was done. Rassie van der Dussen and Temba Bavuma finished the things for South Africa. And South Africa defeated India 2-1.
Conclusion
Before the start of the series, India had the favorites tag and this is also considered as the one of the best opportunities to win Maiden Test series in South Africa. South African team is currently in rebuilding phase and this loss will seriously hurt India. There are many positives for the hosts. The way Marco Jansen bowled and the way Keegan Petersan played. But it is the batting which was the difference between the two teams. Indian middle order has some serious issues and it is the time to find new options for No. 3 and 5. With this match, we’re done with the Test Cricket. It’s time to look forward to ODI series commencing from Wednesday.
