Image courtesy of: Zimbio

Vernon Philander proved to be a nightmare for India on the fourth day in Cape Town as he sliced through their batting line-up and handed South Africa a 72-run win with his career-best figures of 6-42.

Starting off the day on 65/2, South Africa were dealt a huge blow early on as Hashim Amla was caught by Rohit Sharma off the bowling of Mohammed Shami for four runs.

Shami struck a couple of overs later as he removed Kagiso Rabada, who was sent in as the nightwatchman, for five runs.

South Africa captain Faf du Plessis did not trouble the scorers as he was caught behind off a brilliant delivery from debutant Jasprit Bumrah.

Bumrah got his second wicket in his next over as Quinton de Kock was caught behind for eight runs. De Kock was not given out initially, but India reviewed the decision and got it overturned as replays showed that there was an inside edge.

Things went from bad to worse for the Proteas as Philander was trapped lbw off the bowling of Shami for a duck. Philander reviewed the decision, but it didn’t end up saving him.

Keshav Maharaj managed to make 15 before being caught behind off the bowling of Bhuvneshwar Kumar.

Morne Morkel fell in Kumar’s next over, which brought an injured Dale Steyn to the crease. However, while AB de Villiers tried to keep as much strike as possible, he was eventually dismissed by Bumrah for 35.

With South Africa bowled out for 130, it set India a target of 208 to win.

Bumrah and Shami picked up three wickets apiece, while Kumar and Hardik Pandya chipped in with two wickets each.

Chasing 208 to win, India lost opener Shikhar Dhawan in the eighth over as he was caught by Chris Morris, who was the substitute fielder, off the bowling of Morkel for 16.

Murali Vijay, who successfully reviewed two decisions that went against him, was on his way back to the pavilion the very next over as he was brilliantly caught by De Villiers in the slip cordon off the bowling of Philander for 13.

Cheteshwar Pujara only made four before being caught behind off the bowling of Morkel, but India captain Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma temporarily stemmed the flow of wickets with a 32-run partnership.

However, Philander got the golden wicket of Kohli when he trapped the 29-year-old lbw for 28. Kohli reviewed the decision, but his gamble didn’t pay off as replays showed that the ball was pitching in line and going on to hit leg stump.

Once Kohli was gone, India began to collapse as Rohit, Pandya and wicketkeeper Wriddhiman Saha were dismissed in quick succession.

Ravichandran Ashwin and Kumar stemmed the bleeding with a 49-run partnership before Philander produced a magical over, which resulted in three wickets coming off four balls.

After having Ashwin caught behind for 37, Mohammed Shami belted a four off the second ball. But, Philander provided the perfect response the very next ball as he secured a five-wicket haul when Shami was caught by Du Plessis at second slip.

Philander wrapped up the game the delivery after as India were bowled out for 135 when debutant Jasprit Bumrah suffered the same fate as Shami.

Philander was easily the most successful bowler with six wickets, while Morkel and Kagiso Rabada claimed two wickets each.

Kohli was disappointed to have lost the match, and said: “Well in hindsight, we lost by 70-odd, if we had taken chances in the first innings, they would have been 220. Losing wickets in bunches we have to plug in. We were in the game for the three days and it was a wonderful match to be part of. We would have taken that if someone told us 208 would be the target.

“It was a great effort but we needed someone to get a 75 or 80. 20 or 30 is not enough. They were a bowler short but they pitched the balls in the right areas and bowled their hearts out. We need to rectify our mistakes also. Batting, as I said, we need to think about stringing partnerships. This game is all about partnerships, and crucial runs, and they did better.

“The bowlers learnt pretty quickly and did well in the second innings. We are still feeling good about how we went about this Test match. The mindset really matters when you travel away from home. You need to be positive in defence and leaving, and cash in on scoring. We believe in Pandya, he always wants to do well, even away from home. He showed a lot of character and the knock was brilliant.”

Du Plessis was thrilled to have gone 1-0 up in the series, and said: “Every single time in this Test, we had to stand up in tough periods. The way we responded was brilliant. Even with them getting to a decent start, we stuck to our guns. The first morning we expected it to move around, but quite a bit of damage was done in the first hour. I thought 270 was par, Pandya then took risks and it came off. Once again, the bowlers stepped up.

“The plan was to try and get 200 runs and have a lead of 350 and have a crack at them. We were surprised how much the ball was doing. It was like a day one pitch. Green, again. It was a good pitch, though, and there was a good challenge between the bat and ball. It is really important to put the opposition under pressure in a three-match series. Dale would have been a real handful. We feel sorry for him and wish him a speedy recovery. And thanks to the great crowd over the three days.”

Philander was named Man of the Match, and said: “Coming to Newlands, it is generally slow, but they caught us off guard in the first morning. It was a wonderful effort with the bat from us in the first innings. What better crowd, what better conditions you can ask for! I think the way the boys went about it was special.

“We were one seamer down but KG and Morne also bowled pretty well. I have been coming back after the break, so I felt a little stiff. Look, Dale has been one hell of a champion, one hell of a leader. Hopefully, he is back as soon as possible.”