India beats South Africa in Delhi to seal 3-0 Test victory
India overcame gritty resistance from South Africa's batsmen to win the fourth and final Test by a massive 337 runs in New Delhi on Monday morning. But it was hard work beating the world number one.
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After hours of South African defensive batting, when they barely scored a run an over, in the hope of salvaging a draw, Indian bowlers led by off-spinner Ravichandran Ashwin, whose 5-61 in the second innings saw him finish the series with a total of 31 wickets, overcame the tourists.
"All wins are special but this one more so because we had to work harder for it," said Indian captain Virat Kohli. "The South African batsmen put their heads down and were playing for a draw. We were surprised with how they were defending but our bowlers did not lose patience. They can be really proud of their effort today."
India struck back in the final session, claiming five wickets to bowl out South Africa for 143 in 143.1 overs to seal victory and vault into the second place in the world Test rankings.
With a 2-0 lead, India went into the final Test after having won the first and third matches. But the rain hit during the second game, leading to a draw.
In that last Test much of the time was spent trying to dislodge De Villiers, who was unbeaten on 11 overnight and carried on where he left off during a 345-minute stay at the crease.
The crucial breakthrough, though, came moments later when Ashwin found turn and bounce to have De Villiers taken at leg slip off his glove.
It was the second wicket to fall in the space of 27 balls as India ran through the tail, Ashwin sealing victory by bowling Morne Morkel.
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