On this day, January 8, 2018: Eighteen wickets fell on a single day as South Africa beat India by 72 runs while defending a target of 208. It was the smallest target defended against India since readmission. It was first Test match of the India tour of South Africa in 2017/18.
South Africa scored 286 in the first innings as Faf Du Plessis and AB de Villiers scored half centuries. In reply, India were bowled out for 209 and conceded a lead to South Africa. In the third innings, South Africa started well and were placed at 65/2 at the end of Day 2. There was plenty of rain which washed out the entire Day 3. South Africa were resuming the penultimate day at 65 for two, South Africa looked good to take a good lead but the Indian pacers were too good.
Jasprit Bumrah and Mohammad Shami picked up three wickets each to bowl out South Africa for 130 in the second innings to give India sniff. Bhuvneshwar Kumar along with Hardik also did their job picking up two wickets each. South Africa had managed to extend their lead to 207 runs in the second innings but it was a target that looked like it could be chased down as India had plenty of good batters in the side. But things were not that good after all, India had a poor start to their run chase after Morne Morkel broke the opening partnership at 30. Dhawan was the first to be dismissed for 16. Murali Vijay was soon dismissed in the very next over. Pujara joined Virat Kohli and it was up to the senior players to do something. But Cheteshwar Pujara also failed as he was dismissed by Morne Morkel for four.
India found themselves at 39/3 chasing a target of 208. Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma played a few good strokes and at 71/3, India were in the game. But a flurry of wickets meant Kohli, Rohit, Hardik and Saha were dismissed quickly an India were tottering at 82/7. India were bowled out for 135 as a record 18 wickets fell on Day 4 of the Test and South Africa clinched the win.
