SA vs IND, 3rd Test: Cricketing Fraternity Lauds India For Remarkable Win In Johannesburg

Not many would have thought that India would walk away with a thumping win when Dean Elgar and Hashim Amla gave South Africa a solid start on day four. Chasing 241 to inflict a whitewash on the visitors, South Africa could not have asked for a better start on the penultimate day as Amla and Elgar added 119 runs for the second wicket,

The match was heavily titled towards the Proteas before Ishant Sharma dismissed Hashim Amla which turned the game on its head. Jasprit Bumrah dismissed AB de Villiers and Quinton de Kock cheaply while Ishant accounted for Faf de Villiers as the hosts were reduced to 145 for 5 from 124 for 1.

A 12-run stand between Elgar and Vernon Philander stopped the rot for a while before Mohammed Shami dismissed the latter and Andile Phehlukwayo in one over to put India on top. Bhuvneshwar Kumar then dismissed Kagiso Rabada for a duck to further strengthen India’s grip on the game. Dean Elgar held firm on one end but wickets kept on tumbling from the other end as Shami struck once again to remove Morne Morkel for a duck and leave the Proteas reeling at 161 for 9. Elgar and Lungi Ngidi then tried their best to keep the fight on but Shami did not let them succeed as he dismissed the latter to help India dismiss the hosts for 177 and win the game by 63 runs.

The win did not made any difference to the outcome of the series but Virat Kohli & Co. have been flooded with congratulatory messages for the remarkable victory. Apart from the fans, the cricketers, former and present, also congratulated the team. Here are some of the messages:

Well done Indian team on winning Jo’burg Test. Showed solid character n persistence on a tough pitch, deserve all the accolades. Hope the critics who came out blazing after two losses will be eating their words for dinner tonight!!! @<!---->B<!---->C<!---->C<!---->I

— Gautam Gambhir (@GautamGambhir) J<!---->a<!---->n<!---->u<!---->a<!---->r<!---->y<!----> <!---->2<!---->7<!---->,<!----> <!---->2<!---->0<!---->1<!---->8

2-1 does convey the entire result. To come back and win a game when you are down and out, specially on this pitch is a tremendous task by #<!---->T<!---->e<!---->a<!---->m<!---->I<!---->n<!---->d<!---->i<!---->a. Congratulations on a great win, boys. ? bowling #<!---->S<!---->A<!---->v<!---->I<!---->N<!---->D p<!---->i<!---->c<!---->.<!---->t<!---->w<!---->i<!---->t<!---->t<!---->e<!---->r<!---->.<!---->c<!---->o<!---->m<!---->/<!---->m<!---->V<!---->o<!---->o<!---->s<!---->L<!---->0<!---->H<!---->n<!---->g

— Suresh Raina?? (@ImRaina) J<!---->a<!---->n<!---->u<!---->a<!---->r<!---->y<!----> <!---->2<!---->7<!---->,<!----> <!---->2<!---->0<!---->1<!---->8

Congratulations Team india ?? what a win @<!---->B<!---->C<!---->C<!---->I #<!---->I<!---->N<!---->D<!---->v<!---->S<!---->A test series

— Harbhajan Turbanator (@harbhajan_singh) J<!---->a<!---->n<!---->u<!---->a<!---->r<!---->y<!----> <!---->2<!---->7<!---->,<!----> <!---->2<!---->0<!---->1<!---->8

Courage and attitude two words for this team India.Thumping win against SA.Really proud of u boys #<!---->I<!---->N<!---->D<!---->v<!---->S<!---->A

— Irfan Pathan (@IrfanPathan) J<!---->a<!---->n<!---->u<!---->a<!---->r<!---->y<!----> <!---->2<!---->7<!---->,<!----> <!---->2<!---->0<!---->1<!---->8

Well done India! Well fought @<!---->i<!---->m<!---->V<!---->k<!---->o<!---->h<!---->l<!---->i! Deserved victory! Great test and series! Credit to all players! @<!---->d<!---->e<!---->a<!---->n<!---->e<!---->l<!---->g<!---->a<!---->r … what can I say? Heart, determination, courage! Take a bow! A lesson to youngsters and parents who think only extreme talent gets u to the top…

— Mark Boucher (@markb46) J<!---->a<!---->n<!---->u<!---->a<!---->r<!---->y<!----> <!---->2<!---->7<!---->,<!----> <!---->2<!---->0<!---->1<!---->8

As true lovers of the game, let's also take a moment and applaud the grit and determination displayed by Dean Elgar. He waged a lone battle as the Indian pacers were too good for rest of the South African side

— VVS Laxman (@VVSLaxman281) J<!---->a<!---->n<!---->u<!---->a<!---->r<!---->y<!----> <!---->2<!---->7<!---->,<!----> <!---->2<!---->0<!---->1<!---->8

Amazeballs!! What a win!! How about that for character!! Well done @<!---->B<!---->C<!---->C<!---->I !!! Classy and clinical!! #<!---->S<!---->A<!---->v<!---->s<!---->I<!---->n<!---->d<!---->i<!---->a #<!---->T<!---->e<!---->a<!---->m<!---->I<!---->n<!---->d<!---->i<!---->a #<!---->C<!---->r<!---->i<!---->c<!---->k<!---->e<!---->t<!---->M<!---->e<!---->r<!---->i<!---->J<!---->a<!---->a<!---->n #<!---->b<!---->c<!---->c<!---->i

— Robin Aiyuda Uthappa (@robbieuthappa) J<!---->a<!---->n<!---->u<!---->a<!---->r<!---->y<!----> <!---->2<!---->7<!---->,<!----> <!---->2<!---->0<!---->1<!---->8

Congratulations India. This is really special .One of our finest ever overseas victory. Enjoy the moment. I am sure this will happen more often now

— Virender Sehwag (@virendersehwag) J<!---->a<!---->n<!---->u<!---->a<!---->r<!---->y<!----> <!---->2<!---->7<!---->,<!----> <!---->2<!---->0<!---->1<!---->8

Really proud of this Indian team. This is a great test win. All 4 pace bowlers were superb and Kohli led from the front. Excellent contributions from Bhuvi and Rahane. One to cherish for a long time.

— VVS Laxman (@VVSLaxman281) J<!---->a<!---->n<!---->u<!---->a<!---->r<!---->y<!----> <!---->2<!---->7<!---->,<!----> <!---->2<!---->0<!---->1<!---->8

Congratulations #<!---->t<!---->e<!---->a<!---->m<!---->i<!---->n<!---->d<!---->i<!---->a on a fabulous comeback and a great win. It was the intent that was shown by our boys from day one of this test match. People…? Had their own doubts of India choosing to bat first on a wicket which helped seamers. #<!---->I<!---->N<!---->D<!---->v<!---->S<!---->A #<!---->F<!---->r<!---->e<!---->e<!---->d<!---->o<!---->m<!---->S<!---->e<!---->r<!---->i<!---->e<!---->s

— Pragyan Ojha (@pragyanojha) J<!---->a<!---->n<!---->u<!---->a<!---->r<!---->y<!----> <!---->2<!---->7<!---->,<!----> <!---->2<!---->0<!---->1<!---->8