STATS HIGHLIGHTS
Follow UsAfter a winnings start to the series, India’s batsmen failed miserably in the next two games and saw a series defeat. Irrespective of the batsmen's failures, Indian bowlers bowled their hearts out. A fierce contest between two bowling teams ended with the hosts winning the series. Here are a few notable stats from day three and day four of the third Test:
A series full of no-balls
Throughout the series, the only negative impact was the number of no-balls bowled, especially South Africa and Kagiso Rabada. South African bowlers in this series bowled 46 no-balls, the most for them in a three-match series. Previously, against England in 1994 they had bowled 45, which was the highest.
Out of the 46 bowled overall, Rabada was involved with 41. This was by far the most no-balls he had bowled in a series. Previously, 11 against England in 2016 was the highest he had bowled in a series. In Tests since 2000, only Shaun Pollock in 2003 against West Indies had bowled 47 no-balls, which is the most for a South African bowler in a series.
Caught a lot
In countries like South Africa, due to the extra bounce available, catches become the most common mode of dismissals. In this series, South African bowlers bagged 55 wickets out of the 60 wickets by caught. It is the most for a team in a three-match series. Previously, New Zealand against Pakistan in the 2009/10 series in New Zealand had bagged 48 wickets through catches. Out of the 55 catches, 21 of those were taken by the wicket-keeper, which is the joint most for a team in a series.
All eggs in one basket
In the third Test, all the 10 Indian batsmen were dismissed through caught in both the innings. Hence, handing South Africa all their 20 wickets through this mode of dismissal. For the first time in the history of Tests, all 20 wickets of a team were off catches. Previously, there were five instances where a team had lost 19 wickets off catches. In the last match South Africa played at Newlands in 2020 against England, South Africa lost 19 wickets through this mode of dismissal.
Pant’s valiant effort in vain
In his 28-match Test career, Rishabh Pant has already achieved a lot. In the third Test, he notched up his fourth century in Tests. Out of the four, three have been outside Asia. One each in England, Australia and South Africa. By scoring a century each in these countries, he joined Adam Gilchrist and Jonny Bairstow to achieve this feat.
To add more, Pant became the first Indian wicket-keeper batsman to score two or more centuries in the second innings. Also, with three tons outside Asia, he now has the most centuries for an Asian wicket-keeper outside Asia.
A batting low, but still won the series
Despite winning the series by chasing back-to-back 200+ totals, South Africa won the series and registered a unique record. Throughout this series, their highest total was 243, the target they chased in the second Test to win. Which meant, in none of their six innings, they had posted a 250+ total. For the first time in a three-match series, a team won the series without posting a 250+ total.
Also, the 1282-run aggregate for South Africa as a batting team is the second lowest for them in a series win where three-plus matches have been played
South Africa achieves a rare feat
Chasing 200+ in the fourth innings of a Test is one of the most difficult feats. However, for South Africa, especially in this series, it was a walk in the park. In the second Test, they chased a target of 243 and in the third Test, they chased 212 and in both matches they achieved with seven wickets in hand. By virtue of it, South Africa became the third team to win back-to-back Test matches chasing 200+. India in 2010 had chased 200+ in three successive matches and Australia in 2006 had done it in successive Tests.
In addition, in a three match Test series, this was the fourth instance of South Africa winning a series after trailing by 1-0 in the first Test.
