India finished the two-match series at one point after defeating South Africa by a commanding seven wickets in Cape Town. The visiting team needed something exceptional to turn things around following a devastating innings loss in Centurion. And in only two days, they overthrew the domestic team thanks to some outstanding bowling exploits.
South Africa elected to bat first, and Mohammed Siraj wrecked havoc with the new ball, destroying them for 55 runs in the first innings. Just two Protea batsmen reached double digits, including the Hyderabad-born bowler who returned with 6/15.
South African pacers treated India similarly, but Rohit Sharma, Shubman Gill, and Virat Kohli’s efforts enabled them to build a commanding 98-run advantage.
In the second inning, the visitors kept up their bothering the home team’s batsmen. This time, the roles were reversed, with Jasprit Bumrah taking six wickets while the Proteas only managed to put up a 79-run total. India became the first Asian team to win a Test match in Cape Town, chasing it down with seven wickets remaining.
In light of this, let’s examine three professional assessments of India’s convincing win at Newlands.
1. Aakash Chopra
Aakash Chopra, a former cricket player, showered Team India with plaudits when they broke the jinx at Cape Town’s Newlands. At this location, Rohit Sharma and company became the first Asian side to win a Test match.
“India have won,” Chopra stated in a video on his YouTube channel. “We have broken the jinx. We have won in Cape Town. Who was saying that we can’t win? I mean, we hadn’t won till now but have won now, and interestingly enough, won on a very bad pitch.”
Aakash Chopra
2. Sanjay Manjrekar
Ex-cricketer Sanjay Manjrekar expressed his thoughts. He felt India might feel remorse over not clinching the first test series win in Rainbow Nation. His observation surfaced as the Men in Blue celebrated a seven-wicket triumph over South Africa, happening in Cape Town.
The first Test at Centurion ended with a humiliating innings and 32-run loss for the tourists. However, they quickly turned things around, winning the second Test to even the two-match series at one.
“If I am the coach or the captain, I would look at it as a regret,” Manjrekar said on ESPNCricinfo. “If you look at the past and the teams India had to beat in South Africa, they were tough teams. This was the most beatable South African team. Dean Elgar’s 185 prevented India from actually creating history.
“Said it before as well that there was no point of a three-match ODI series between the T20Is and the Test with it not even being an ODI World Cup year.”
Sanjay Manjrekar
3. KL Rahul
KL Rahul, the wicketkeeper-batsman for India, expressed his tremendous happiness with the victory. He also mentioned that because the game finished so abruptly, it hasn’t quite registered with the participants.
Rahul stated in response to a query on Star Sports:
“So really happy that we could get this win and very special. In terms of emotions, honestly, no one is able to understand. It seems like the toss happened just now and the match is over.”
KL Rahul
