Lungi Ngidi ripped through the India line-up on day five as South Africa romped to a 135-run victory as well as an emphatic 2-0 series win.
The Proteas have made a stirring statement with their recent performances and results. They played aggressive yet intelligent cricket at Newlands and Centurion. The decision to back five bowlers in both matches, and a healthy blend of youth and experience, proved inspired.
Ultimately, the Proteas have recorded two convincing wins –and more significantly, a series victory – against the No 1-ranked side in the world. After smashing Bangladesh and Zimbabwe in the early days of Ottis Gibson’s tenure, the side has proved itself by slaying the biggest Test beast of the lot.
India have disappointed in this match and indeed across the series. Virat Kohli produced a knock for the ages in the first innings at Centurion, scoring 153 to keep his side in the contest.
Ravi Ashwin (4-113 in the first innings) and Mohammed Shami (4-49 in the second) ensured that the Proteas didn’t have everything their own way. The overall quality of the India batting, however, was poor and, as the totals and results suggest, very costly.
Kagiso Rabada and Ngidi ripped through the India top-order late on day four, with the debutant claiming the key wicket of Kohli. The hosts didn’t want for hunger and intensity early on day five, taking three quick wickets and thus destroying India’s slim hopes.
The bowlers were brilliantly supported by the fielders. Fifteen minutes into the session, Ngidi chased hard to prevent a boundary and then flicked the ball back to AB de Villiers. Quinton de Kock scooped up the ensuing throw to break the stumps and leave Cheteshwar Pujara short of his ground.
Parthiv Patel was caught by Morne Morkel after attempting to hook Rabada for a boundary. The big man made good ground down at fine leg to get to the ball and complete a stunning grab.
Ngidi accounted for Hardik Pandya and then Ashwin. De Kock took both catches, leaping high and wide to his right to dismiss the former.
Rohit Sharma took the fight to the Proteas bowlers during the latter stages of the session. Sharma and Mohammed Shami put on 54 runs for the eighth wicket, before Rabada dismissed India’s last specialist batsman on the stroke of lunch. De Villiers raced off the fine leg fence to take a great diving catch.
Ngidi’s big moment arrived when Shami attempted to slog a length ball over mid-on. The ball travelled as far as Morkel, who took a comfortable catch. The 21-year-old patted the Proteas badge on his chest as a way of celebrating the rare feat of a five-for on debut.
Fiitingly, it was Ngidi who ended the resistance. Jasprit Bumrah pushed forward and Vernon Philander did well to get to the dying ball at mid-off.
Thus ended an unforgettable match for the youngster, and for South Africa.
SA 335 (1st innings) – Aiden Markram 94, Hashim Amla 82, Ravi Ashwin 4-113, Ishant Sharma 3-46
India 307 (1st innings) – Virat Kohli 153, Murali Vijay 46, Morne Morkel 4-60, Vernon Philander 1-46
SA 258 (2nd innings) – AB de Villiers 80, Dean Elgar 61, Mohammed Shami 4-49, Jasprit Bumrah 3-70
India 151 (2nd innings) – Rohit Sharma 47, Lungi Ngidi 6-39, Kagiso Rabada 3-47
South Africa won by 135 runs and clinched the series 2-0
Photo: Muzi Ntombela/BackpagePix
