South Africa were bundled out for just 130 in their second innings as India’s pacers – Mohammad Shami, Jasprit Bumrah and Bhuvneshwar Kumar – made a brilliant first session burst to skittle out the hosts at Cape Town on day four.
AB de Villiers (35) led a lone fight for the Proteas as wickets tumbled around him like nine pins. Starting the day at 65/2, it was South Africa who had a slender edge after taking a handy first innings lead. The third day’s play was washed out without a ball being bowled and the Indian bowlers wasted no time in cashing on the moisture and the movement the Newlands track offered as Hashim Amla made his way back to the pavilion for just four runs.
The South African batting ace played a poor shot against Shami, and Rohit Sharma took a smart catch, just about managing to get his fingers underneath the ball at third slip. That started a procession of sorts as Bumrah and Bhuvneshwar joined in on the act. Bumrah took three for 39 and claimed the key wickets of South African captain Faf du Plessis and Quinton de Kock.
Du Plessis fell to an unplayable delivery which lifted sharply off a good length and flicked a glove. He also took the wicket of De Villiers, who was trying to hit a six at the end of the innings.
Steyn, ruled out of bowling again in the match because of an injured heel, arrived at the ground on crutches but as wickets tumbled he put on the pads and limped out to the wicket. He blocked four balls but was clearly unable to run.
Indian captain Virat Kohli sent eight fielders to the boundary when De Villiers faced Bumrah in the next over. De Villiers went for a big hit but Bhuvneshwar Kumar took a well-judged catch, with his feet just inside the boundary.
(With inputs from AFP)
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