The three-match series between India and South Africa is now leveled at 1-1 with the hosts winning the second Test in Johannesburg by 7 wickets. It was a brilliant chase by South Africa in the rain-affected Day 4 as only 34 overs were possible with the hosting needing 122 runs but they finished the game in just 27.4 overs. India left no stone unturned in defending the total, Dean Elgar, but the South African captain was the immovable object.
Dean Elgar, who won the man of the match award remained unbeaten on 96 and despite the fact that he missed the century, he will be relishing the series leveling win more. South Africa came into this Test under the pump, the clear underdogs despite being the hosts for the first time against India. The Indians had breached a fortress at Centurion and they were pumped, however, South Africa came back stronger by breaching a castle of their own, as India had never lost a Test at the Wanderers before.
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This is a stunning and fantastic victory as chasing 240 in such difficult conditions against the fierce bowling attack of the Indian team, even though Mohammed Siraj was hardly at his average self because of his hamstring – took some doing. Elgar stood strong despite all the body blows, edges, balls whistling past – but remained bloody-mindedly at the crease.
One also needs to understand the crucial contributions of the South Africa batters, Keegan Petersen (62, 28) and Temba Bavuma (51, 23*) in both innings, as well as some of the brilliant spells of the young pacer, Marco Jansen (4/31, 3/67). And the bowling spell that turned the tide, with Kagiso Rabada (3/64, 3/77) spitting fire on the third day of the Test moving day.
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India had their moments in the game like the brilliant 7-fer of Shardul Thakur in the first-innings, dependable knock of stand-in skipper, KL Rahul (50), and Ravichandran Ashwin (46) in the first innings, and then the brilliant quickfire partnership of 11 runs from Cheteshwar Pujara (53) and Ajinkya Rahane (58) stand in the second innings against South Africa.
However, despite all the small efforts of the various Indian players, South Africa managed to make a brilliant comeback in the match each time and eventually pulled off a dominating win. This has to count as among South Africa’s finest victories in the history of Test cricket because they’ve beaten a top-class team.
Here is the cricketing fraternity reacted to the win of South Africa:
Very good win proteas✅ 👏👏
— Herschelle Gibbs (@hershybru) January 6, 2022
Sometimes you just have to doff off your hat and say well played. Huge respect for Elgar. Was stranded on 86* as SA lost from a winning position at Joburg last time. This time gets his team home. Really admire his 'over my dead body' attitude. Take a bow Elgar and SA 🙌🏻 #SAvIND pic.twitter.com/opjqpGF5fG
— Wasim Jaffer (@WasimJaffer14) January 6, 2022
2022…it’s only the first week and it’s already looking like a great year for Tests. ✌️
— Aakash Chopra (@cricketaakash) January 6, 2022
South Africa breach India's fortress, i.e. Wanderers Stadium in Johannesburg in South Africa. 😱 #SAvIND #CricketTwitter
— Arun Gopalakrishnan (@statanalyst) January 6, 2022
YES please!
Congrats men!— Dale Steyn (@DaleSteyn62) January 6, 2022
Silver lining for cricket in Rainbow nation. Significant win. Some Mark Boucher-like fight. Elgar is yet to be dismissed in a fourth innings.
Super series. #SAvIND— Arani Basu (@AraniBasuTOI) January 6, 2022
Leading from the front #deanelgar! the tone is set for Newlands. #INDvsSA
— Pragyan Ojha (@pragyanojha) January 6, 2022
What a response from SA. Elgar’s the real deal, made of steel. Big confidence booster for a team in transition. India’s fought hard but will need more from the batters. Bowlers won’t create magic every single time. Cape Town test promises to be a treat .. #INDvsSA
— Jatin Sapru (@jatinsapru) January 6, 2022
Chasing 240, against a fine attack on a very tricky wicket to win by 7 wickets – that's an outstanding victory by South Africa. At 1-1 with a decider to come, all set up to be a classic series
— Tim Wigmore (@timwig) January 6, 2022
Just the fourth time a team has chased down a 200+ target successfully at the Wanderers. Brilliant from SA. Also beaten India at this venue for the first time. #SAvIND
— Jigar Mehta (@jigsactin) January 6, 2022
Test cricket needed southafrica to win 🇿🇦 #SAvsIND immense character shown 🏏
— Shreevats goswami (@shreevats1) January 6, 2022
Highest successful Test run chases against India:
342-8 by Australia at Perth, 1977
276-5 by West Indies at Delhi, 1987
243-3 by South Africa at Johannesburg, 2022— Andrew Samson (@AWSStats) January 6, 2022
Bangladesh beat New Zealand at Mount Maunganui.
South Africa beat India at Wanderers.
England openers surviving a passage of play.Test cricket off to a cracking start in 2022.#SAvsInd
— Manoj Dimri (@manoj_dimri) January 6, 2022