CAPE TOWN, Jan 08 (TNS): Venomous seamer Vernon Philander starred with the ball as South Africa beat India by 72-runs to take 1-0 lead in the three-match Test series at Cape Town on Sunday. Philander, who ended the match with nine wickets, registered his career-best Test bowling figures.
Visitors, after being bowled on a meager total of 130 by India at lunch on Day four, displayed high-quality bowling display to leave India crumbling in seaming conditions.
Shikhar Dhawan and Murali Vijay took India off to a decent start but were put on the back foot, courtesy some brilliant bowling display from the Protease.
The hosts picked up wickets at regular intervals to leave the visitors in tatters. However, the visitors at seven down, looked threatening as Ravichandran Ashwin and Bhuvneshwar Kumar stitched together a 49-run partnership and brought India closer to the total before Philander struck once again and broke the partnership by dismissing Ashwin.
Following which, Mohammad Shami and Jasprit Bumrah were dismissed in quick succession as Philander handed the Protease with a victory.
