Eight wicket victory sees India draw series against South Africa
Sunday, 13 Apr 2008 21:35
South Africa let themselves down, Smith admits
India have drawn their three-match series with South Africa after winning a tight third test by eight wickets.
Harbhajan Singh was in fine form, making the most of a well-worn pitch to take four wickets for just 44 runs.
Only captain Graeme Smith and Ashwell Prince looked like giving the Proteas a sizeable advantage, with the latter hitting 22 not out, though even this required 87 deliveries to make.
South Africa were bowled out for 121 in their second innings, giving the hosts a target of 62 for victory as they looked to make up for the heavy defeat they suffered early on in the series.
India's opening batsman Virender Sehwag signaled his side's intent, smashing two sixes in a row before being dismissed going for a third, while Sourav Ganguly added to his impressive first innings haul of 87 with a contribution of 13 not out.
Former captain Rahul Dravid secured victory for the hosts with eight wickets to spare and thereby cancelled out South Africa's second test win, achieved just three days previously.
"When you are playing on a wicket like this, the margins are very small," Smith told reporters.
"We let ourselves down slightly."