JOHANNESBURG (AP) – India found a way around Dean Elgar’s resistance by destroying the batsmen at the other end for a 63-run win over South Africa in the final test on Saturday.
While Elgar made 86 not out and was unbowed after being hit on the helmet, hip and multiple times on the fingers on a fiery Wanderers wicket, India rolled out his batting partners in quick succession on the fourth day.
Although India had already lost the series, Virat Kohli’s team avoided a first series whitewash in six years and left the series 2-1 in South Africa’s favor.
India’s bowler Ishant Sharma, left, with captain Virat Kohli reacts after bowling South Africa’s captain Faf du Plessis’ for 2 runs on the fourth day of the third cricket test match between South Africa and India at the Wanderers Stadium in Johannesburg, South Africa, Saturday, Jan. 27, 2018. (AP Photo/Themba Hadebe)
That was still a disappointing result for top-ranked India, but the final test did reward them with a convincing win and avoided the embarrassment of 3-0.
India bowled South Africa out for 177 late on the fourth day, with the South Africans collapsing from 124-1.
Chasing 241 for victory, Elgar and Hashim Amla (52) put on 119 for the second wicket. But after Amla was caught at short mid-wicket to a diving catch by Hardik Pandya, the home team imploded on a fast, bouncy and unpredictable pitch.
Quick bowler Mohammed Shami took 5-28 as India ripped out nine South African batsmen for 53 to win the game.
Play was stopped late on Day 3 over fears that the Wanderers pitch had become too dangerous to bat on.
Elgar was at the center of that decision by the umpires when they decided to take the players off the field after the South African opener was hit a hard blow on the grill of his helmet by a bouncer.
India was furious with the decision as they were on top at that point but, ultimately, it only robbed the game of 20 minutes of action and didn’t affect India’s march to victory.
South Africa’s batsman Morne Morkel is bowled by India’s bowler Mohammed Shami for a duck on the fourth day of the third cricket test match between South Africa and India at the Wanderers Stadium in Johannesburg, South Africa, Saturday, Jan. 27, 2018. (AP Photo/Themba Hadebe)
India’s bowler Jasprit Bumrah celebrates after dismissing South Africa’s batsman Quinton de Kock’ for a duck on the fourth day of the third cricket test match between South Africa and India at the Wanderers Stadium in Johannesburg, South Africa, Saturday, Jan. 27, 2018. (AP Photo/Themba Hadebe)
India’s captain Virat Kohli on the fourth day of the third cricket test match between South Africa and India at the Wanderers Stadium in Johannesburg, South Africa, Saturday, Jan. 27, 2018. (AP Photo/Themba Hadebe)
India’s bowler Ishant Sharma, center facing camera, celebrates with teammates after dismissing South Africa’s batsman Hashim Amla, for 52 runs on the fourth day of the third cricket test match between South Africa and India at the Wanderers Stadium in Johannesburg, South Africa, Saturday, Jan. 27, 2018. (AP Photo/Themba Hadebe)
South Africa’s batsman AB de Villiers, back, leaves the field as India’s captain Virat Kohli, celebrates his dismissal on the fourth day of the third cricket test match between South Africa and India at the Wanderers Stadium in Johannesburg, South Africa, Saturday, Jan. 27, 2018. (AP Photo/Themba Hadebe)
South Africa’s batsman AB de Villiers, left, leaves the field as India’s bowler Jasprit Bumrah, middle, and captain Virat Kohli, react to his dismissal on the fourth day of the third cricket test match between South Africa and India at the Wanderers Stadium in Johannesburg, South Africa, Saturday, Jan. 27, 2018. (AP Photo/Themba Hadebe)
South Africa’s batsman AB de Villiers, second from left, leaves the field as India’s players celebrates his dismissal on the fourth day of the third cricket test match between South Africa and India at the Wanderers Stadium in Johannesburg, South Africa, Saturday, Jan. 27, 2018. (AP Photo/Themba Hadebe)
South Africa’s batsman AB de Villiers leaves the field after his dismissal on the fourth day of the third cricket test match between South Africa and India at the Wanderers Stadium in Johannesburg, South Africa, Saturday, Jan. 27, 2018. (AP Photo/Themba Hadebe)
South Africa’s batsman Dean Elgar watches his shot on the fourth day of the third cricket test match between South Africa and India at the Wanderers Stadium in Johannesburg, South Africa, Saturday, Jan. 27, 2018. (AP Photo/Themba Hadebe)
India’s bowler Jasprit Bumrah bowls as South Africa’s batsman Dean Elgar looks on during the fourth day of the third cricket test match between South Africa and India at the Wanderers Stadium in Johannesburg, South Africa, Saturday, Jan. 27, 2018. (AP Photo/Themba Hadebe)
India’s bowler Jasprit Bumrah, left, and captain Virat Kohli react after his delivery on the fourth day of the third cricket test match between South Africa and India at the Wanderers Stadium in Johannesburg, South Africa, Saturday, Jan. 27, 2018. (AP Photo/Themba Hadebe)
India’s bowler Hardik Pandya catches the ball as he prepares to bowl on the fourth day of the third cricket test match between South Africa and India at the Wanderers Stadium in Johannesburg, South Africa, Saturday, Jan. 27, 2018. (AP Photo/Themba Hadebe)
South Africa’s batsman Hashim Amla avoids a bouncer from India’s bowler Jasprit Bumrah, on the fourth day of the third cricket test match between South Africa and India at the Wanderers Stadium in Johannesburg, South Africa, Saturday, Jan. 27, 2018. (AP Photo/Themba Hadebe)
South Africa’s batsman Dean Elgar in action on the fourth day of the third cricket test match between South Africa and India at the Wanderers Stadium in Johannesburg, South Africa, Saturday, Jan. 27, 2018. (AP Photo/Themba Hadebe)
South Africa’s batsman Dean Elgar takes evasive action against a bouncer from India’s bowler Jasprit Bumrah, on the fourth day of the third cricket test match between South Africa and India at the Wanderers Stadium in Johannesburg, South Africa, Saturday, Jan. 27, 2018. (AP Photo/Themba Hadebe)
South Africa’s batsman Hashim Amla plays a shot on the fourth day of the third cricket test match between South Africa and India at the Wanderers Stadium in Johannesburg, South Africa, Saturday, Jan. 27, 2018. (AP Photo/Themba Hadebe)
India’s bowler Bhuvneshwar Kumar reacts after his delivery against South Africa’s batsman Hashim Amla’ on the fourth day of the third cricket test match between South Africa and India at the Wanderers Stadium in Johannesburg, South Africa, Saturday, Jan. 27, 2018. (AP Photo/Themba Hadebe)
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